The final phase of the Manhattan Bridge rehabilitation begins

As of Sunday, October 15, 2006, the Manhattan Bridge's lower roadway is closed for a year-long rehabilitation. The bikeway on the bridge's north side also is closed while contractor Koch Skanska USA rehabilitates the lower roadway, making the south path a shared walkway/bikeway.

The bridge's upper roadways, each with three traffic lanes, will remain open. Transit service will not be affected.

The lower-roadway rehabilitation is the final phase of the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT)'s overall project to restore the bridge to its original structural condition. That $500 million project began in 1982, taking place in several phases that have allowed both vehicular traffic and four subway lines to continue using the bridge (with partial service suspensions along the way).

DOT recommends that motorists use alternate crossings during the lower roadway's 12-month closure. To help alleviate congestion, the agency has placed detour and variable-message signs at key locations, and NYPD traffic agents will help redirect traffic. The city also has also revised traffic patterns on the Williamsburg Bridge, including opening its north outer roadway to truck traffic and reversing the south inner lanes during morning rush hour.

To help speed completion of the Manhattan Bridge restoration project, DOT is offering the contractor financial incentive to finish before the milestone end date and disincentive for each day the contractor works beyond that date.

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