Pulaski Bridge Bike Lanes Delayed Until the End of 2015
Construction on the Pulaski Bridge bike lanes has been pushed back once again. Streetsblog reported that the protected bike lanes, originally scheduled to finish this year, likely won’t open until the end of 2015. Last week, we reported construction would wrap in the spring. Then the DOT gave a presentation [PDF] on the project and said the contractor will start…
Construction on the Pulaski Bridge bike lanes has been pushed back once again. Streetsblog reported that the protected bike lanes, originally scheduled to finish this year, likely won’t open until the end of 2015. Last week, we reported construction would wrap in the spring.
Then the DOT gave a presentation [PDF] on the project and said the contractor will start work in April and continue through October or November. Pedestrians and bikers currently share the crowded walking paths, but the DOT plans to convert one lane of Brooklyn-bound traffic to a two-way bike lane.
Officials blamed the delays on the engineering of the 60-year-old drawbridge, which can’t support an additional concrete barrier, and the fact that funding for the bike lanes is tied to work on 10 other bridge projects that needed approval first. The cost of the improvements has also increased from $3,460,000 to $4,200,000.
At least the DOT has finalized a design, which will include textured rumble strips at both entrances to the bridge reminding cyclists to slow down.
Pulaski Bridge Bike Path Now Scheduled to Open by End of 2015 [Streetsblog]
Pulaski Bridge Coverage [Brownstoner]
Rendering via DOT
Why don’t they just paint a line at the left side of the right Brooklyn bound lane and call the old right lane a Bike Lane. You can do this over night. In short, the planned magnum opus bike lane is a huge waste of the taxpayers’ money that will take forever to complete. As a former officer of Brooklyn CB 1, I am appalled that this boondoggle ever got off the ground!
IMO, a big fat waste of money. (I can think of a lot of better ways for the city to spend 4 mill of taxpayer money.) Also, who wants to bike over the Pulaski bridge??? (No, thanks.) Now I will sit back and let the Bike Lobby do their righteous ranting and raving. . . .