2013-dot-sustainable-streets-lowres

INFRASTRUCTURETo ensure the best communication with local residents about the Brooklyn Bridgereconstruction project, DOT hired a full time community liason, set up a working groupwith key stakeholders, and developed a mailing list of over 1,000 peopleEAST RIVER BRIDGESBROOKLYN BRIDGEBrooklyn Bridge Working Group:The East River Bridges are iconic, landmark symbols for NewYorkers and tourists who walk, bike and drive over them every day.Over the past few decades, over $1 billion has been invested tokeep the East River Bridges safe for the millions of people that usethe bridges annually. This investment was strengthened under theleadership of Mayor Bloomberg.Brooklyn BridgeDOT worker fixing Brooklyn BridgeMore than 120,000 vehicles,4,000 pedestrians and 3,100bicyclists cross the BrooklynBridge every day. The agencyis undertaking a $500 millionoverhaul of the bridge to keepit safe, attractive and wellmaintained for all users. Thisproject includes upgradingexisting roadway pavement,rehabilitating historic arch blocks,railings, and masonry structures,restriping and expandingcapacity at on and off ramps,and increasing the overheadclearance at the York Street archover the BQE, which is currentlylower than industry standards. Inaddition, the DOT project includesseismic retrofitting at the FranklinSquare arch over Pearl Street.On all the bridge approachstructures on both the Manhattanand Brooklyn sides, the existingdeck will be removed by lifting outsections and replacing them panelby panel with precast concrete–filled steel grid deck panels.The bridge is also being paintedto prevent steel corrosion andimprove aesthetics.The rehabilitation of the BrooklynBridge is a large infrastructureproject in a dense urban area. Tolessen the impacts of the projecton its Manhattan and Brooklynneighbors, NYC DOT employedconstruction equipment innovationssuch as smaller jackhammers, soundproofing blankets, and to the extentpossible, doing work during the day.To ensure the best communicationwith local residents, the agency hireda full time community liaison, set up aworking group with key stakeholders,and developed a mailing list of over1,000 people.172Chapter 13: A City of Bridges