Greetings! This Newsletter is part of the New York State Department of Transportation's (DOT) efforts to keep you informed about the status of the Roslyn Viaduct Bridge Replacement Project in Nassau County. Recognizing that this project probably has a direct impact on you, as well as thousands of Long Island motorists each week, we have set up a hotline, 1-877-4-VIADUCT, to provide additional information, including travel lane closure information. Please contact us for any additional information. |
Project Overview
The extensive New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) project to replace the half-mile long Roslyn Viaduct officially began last year. Spanning Hempstead Harbor on Northern Blvd./NY Route 25A in Roslyn, a new state-of-the-art bridge will be constructed to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and truck drivers.
Since 1999, the Roslyn Viaduct Bridge Task Force, comprised of local officials and representatives, worked closely with the DOT during the planning stages of the bridge design. The Task Force assisted with identifying many issues that are important to the surrounding community to help promote the safety of the traveling public and facilitate
future residential and business development.
As one of the main east-west routes on the north shore of Long Island that is used by more than 38,000 cars and trucks each day, the Roslyn Viaduct is a vital part of maintaining mobility on Long Island. Originally built in 1949, the deteriorating Roslyn Viaduct is being replaced with a structure that meets current engineering design and safety standards. The viaduct will be widened to the north to accommodate two full travel lanes and a shoulder in each direction along with a sidewalk on the south side. To provide an enhanced vista of the Hempstead Harbor, the new viaduct will feature only nine spans and eight piers, compared to the current bridge which has fifteen spans and fourteen piers. Grassy park land will be created under the bridge between Bedell's Landing and Roslyn Creek and additional parking spaces will be provided as part of the project.
Other project features include retaining walls, street lighting, landscaping, roadway drainage improvements and extensive improvements on the NY Route 25A approaches to the Viaduct and the ramps adjacent to the structure which serve the Village of Roslyn. Witte Lane, between Bryant Avenue and Northern Blvd., will be moved slightly to the north to accommodate the widening of the Viaduct and the subsequent rebuilding of the westbound entrance ramp to the Viaduct at this location.The replacement of the Roslyn Viaduct will address the DOT's concerns regarding the long term structural integrity of this aging bridge, and its outmoded design including lack of shoulders on the bridge, poor sight distance for motorists approaching the bridge from the west and on the ramps, inadequate acceleration and deceleration lane lengths, and lack of accessibility for the physically challenged.
Current Bridge Construction Activities
During Stage One of the project, crews have performed various construction operations including the installation of new foundations supported by piles for the new bridge structure and drainage work which included a new detention basin on the west side of the Viaduct.
Spring/Summer 2006 Construction Activities
In mid-March, the Contractor began working on Witte Lane between Northern Blvd. and Bryant Avenue. A new travel lane pattern of one eastbound and one westbound lane was put into place on Witte Lane.
This new travel lane pattern of one lane in each direction will remain in effect around the clock on Witte Lane while the long-term work is underway. At the present time, there is no direct access from Church Street onto the Roslyn Viaduct. Cars heading south on Church Street must make a right turn onto Witte Lane to Bryant Avenue and make a left to continue through Roslyn to access westbound Northern Blvd./NY 25A. There is a temporary barricade on Witte Lane preventing access to the Viaduct from Church Street. As part of the completed project, a permanent barricade will be installed at this location as this will be the final configuration at Church Street and Witte Lane.
Uacoming Fall 2006 Construction Activities
As part of the Roslyn Viaduct Bridge Replacement project, daytime single lane closures have been in effect on the Viaduct on NY 25A (7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. eastbound and 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. westbound) as crews began working in mid¬October to remove the median barrier which will allow use of this pavement area during the next phase of the project. Portable Variable Message Signs (VMS) are in place along Northern Blvd. in advance of the work zone to alert motorists of the reduced lane widths and reduced speed limit in effect for this area.
In order to demolish and reconstruct the new bridge, traffic flow across the Viaduct will be maintained on three travel lanes during the major phase of construction, which is
scheduled to begin on November 15th. Motorists will be alerted to the new travel lane patterns by overhead INFORM signs, as well as Variable Message Signs (VMS) which will be in place along NY Route 25A/Northern Blvd. in advance of the Viaduct work zone.
Additionally, information advising motorists about these travel lane changes will be provided on several major radio stations. Information will be broadcast in advance of the actual start date to alert motorists of these changes and will continue through the initial stage of this new travel lane pattern.
During the second stage of the project, reversible travel lanes will be used during peak travel periods to minimize the impact of construction on motorists and residents. During the respective rush hours, two travel lanes will continue to be maintained in the same direction as they have been prior to construction. Two westbound travel lanes and one eastbound lane will be maintained during the morning rush hour through the afternoon between 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.. Then, two eastbound travel lanes and one westbound lane will be maintained during the afternoon/evening rush hour between 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
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| The "Snooper", generally used for bridge inspection, will be used for paint removal and pre-cutting of steel prior to bridge demo. |
Overnight, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., the center lane will be closed and a single travel lane will be available in each direction. One travel lane in each direction will also be maintained between the transition hours of 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. to allow the Contractor time to re-position the lanes back into the successive reversible lane pattern. This new travel lane pattern is expected to remain in effect until Spring 2008. Additional Project Information
Extensive efforts have been made to monitor and limit vibrations and there are restrictions on night time construction to minimize the impact on residents who live in close proximity to the Roslyn Viaduct. To offset roadway incidents and help assure traffic flow, the DOT will provide the following programs when the reversible lanes are in effect: • 24/7 traffic monitoring using on-site cameras
• 24-hour on-site tow truck service to remove disabled vehicles
• Variable Message Signs posted on Northern Blvd./NY 25A prior to Glen Cove Road and Mineola Avenue to encourage motorists to reroute and help avoid delay
• Coordination with emergency services
• An emergency control response office Further Proiect Information
The NYSDOT has also set up a Community Outreach Office provide information to area residents and businesses regarding the status of this construction project. The hotline number is 1-877-4-VIADUCT (484-2382). The Outreach Office is located at 55 Bryant Avenue in Roslyn. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Project newsletters, such as this one, will be distributed periodically to help provide updated information on the progress of the Roslyn Viaduct construction. |
