NYC DOT Completes Major Safety Project on Washington Bridge, Delivering Safe Cycling Connection and Faster Bus Commutes Between Manhattan and The Bronx

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, [email protected]

NYC DOT Completes Major Safety Project on Washington Bridge, Delivering Safe Cycling Connection and Faster Bus Commutes Between Manhattan and The Bronx

Transformative Project Improves Crossings for Pedestrians and Adds Half a Mile of Bus and One Mile of Bike Lanes on a Critical Route Connecting Manhattan and the Bronx

With 68,000 Daily Bus Riders and Nearly 900 Daily Cyclists, Washington Bridge Is One of New York City's Busiest Bike and Bus Routes.

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today celebrated the completion of a major redesign of the Washington Bridge roadway to support safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation options between the Bronx and Manhattan. The completed project spans from Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan to University Avenue in the Bronx. The project includes a redesign of the intersection leading up to the bridge approach, a new bus lane, and a two-way barrier-protected bike lane. The project will also deliver faster, more reliable bus service for 68,000 daily riders along the corridor.

"This transformative redesign of the Washington Bridge will protect pedestrians and cyclists, speed up bus service, and make the street safer for everyone," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "We are committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers benefit from our life-saving work, and this great project will make commutes quicker and safer for residents in working class communities in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan."

"Dedicated bus lanes will bring faster and more reliable service for the thousands of Upper Manhattan and Bronx residents using this key thoroughfare every day," said NYC Transit Senior Vice President of Buses Frank Annicaro. "We will continue to work with our partners at NYC DOT to expand bus priority and improve bus service across the city."

Bus Upgrades

The half-mile bus lane expansion along the Washington Bridge serves five bus routes and connects to NYC DOT's 181st Street busway in Manhattan and the Edward L. Grant Highway and University Avenue bus lanes in the Bronx. The redesign builds on the success of the busway, installed in 2021, which has sped up bus service at all times of the day-including as much as 30 percent for Manhattan-bound traffic during morning and evening rush hours.

NYC DOT added an automated-camera-enforced bus lane to the Bronx-bound side of the span, which will help make commutes even faster and more reliable, while still maintaining two travel lanes for vehicles heading to the Bronx.

Pedestrian and Cycling Upgrades

The addition of dedicated, safe cycling space improves conditions for both cyclists and pedestrians, which previously shared a narrow bridge pathway. NYC DOT added a two-way barrier-protected paths in Manhattan to create safe cycling access to the bridge. Riders can connect to the bridge via a new two-way barrier-protected path at Amsterdam Avenue and West 182nd Street, as well as a new two-way barrier-protected path on Laurel Hill Terrace, between McNally Plaza and Amsterdam Avenue. The agency will also deliver upgrades to Amsterdam Avenue and West 181st Street to improve safety near the span. These upgrades include a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) to give pedestrians crossing the street a head start, a signal phase for turning vehicles, as well as new and better organized turn lanes. These are expected to be implemented by the end of the year.

On the Bronx side, the agency added a two-way barrier-protected bike lane to one of the entrance ramp lanes from University Avenue to create seamless safe cycling access and separate pedestrian and cycling traffic. The project also connects to protected bicycle lanes on University Avenue and Edward L. Grant Highway. This critical link in the bike network connects northern Manhattan to the protected lanes on Edward L. Grant and University Aves and creates a safe, well-lighted, 24-hour connection that complements the High Bridge. NYC DOT will continue its work to build connections to the George Washington Bridge and integrate this link into the Harlem River Greenway.

"The Washington Bridge redesign is a huge improvement for bus riders, cyclists, and pedestrians moving between Washington Heights and the West Bronx. In 2022, I called for a reimagining of the bridge, and I'm thrilled that shorter bus commute times and a safer streetscape are now a reality," said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. "Thank you to Commissioner Rodriguez and the DOT team for prioritizing a better bridge experience."

"The transformation of the Washington Bridge stands as a significant stride in unifying our neighborhoods and elevating the quality of our transit from the Bronx to Manhattan, said State Senator Robert Jackson. "With the NYC DOT at the helm, their foresight and dedication are ushering in a new era of transit for countless New Yorkers, especially those I represent in District 31. We're looking forward to expedited bus services, enhanced bike safety, and a greener, more sustainable future."

"We celebrate the completion of pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements along the Washington Bridge that also prioritize the use public transportation along one of our busiest traffic corridors," said Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa. "Earlier this year, cyclists lost their lives on this bridge, underlying the immense need for safety upgrades like protected bike lanes. We have conducted walkthroughs with our transportation chair and transportation commissioner on several occasions and will continue to hone in on these unsafe corridors to explore additional solutions and education that allow pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters alike to share our streets with confidence."

"The transformation of the Washington Bridge is an outstanding success story for bus riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians in the Bronx and northern Manhattan, said Betsy Plum, executive director of The Riders Alliance. "This project should serve as a model for other bridges and streets across the city, particularly in areas where transit and safety infrastructure hasn't always been a top priority. Riders are so grateful to the grassroots advocates at Transportation Alternatives, the dedicated New York City Department of Transportation team, and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez for making it happen."

"This multifaceted project will make life easier and safer for so many New Yorkers," said Sara Lind, co-executive director at Open Plans. "By prioritizing space for bus service and safe cycling, DOT has transformed the Washington Bridge into a modern thoroughfare. This is exactly the type of project that not only keeps pedestrians and cyclists safe, but encourages more New Yorkers to use active and public transit to get where they're going, which reduces congestion and pollution and makes for a more livable city overall."

"Regional Plan Association (RPA) joins NYC DOT in celebrating the redesign of the Washington Bridge roadway," said Tiffany-Ann Taylor, VP of transportation at RPA. "Prioritizing upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders is key to promoting safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation options in NYC. We applaud NYC DOT for implementing important upgrades to infrastructure outside of the central business district, continuing toprioritize access for vulnerable road users, and increasing bus speeds."

"We're thrilled that the redesign of Washington Bridge is now complete," said Eric McClure, executive director of StreetsPAC. "The bridge's new bus lane will improve commutes for tens of thousands of commuters every day, and its protected bike lanes and upgraded approaches and pedestrian space are certain to become heavily used connections between the Bronx and Manhattan. We're grateful to NYC DOT for bringing this important project to fruition."

"I Challenge Myself, a nonprofit that uses cycling to empower youth, commends the commissioner on creating a safer cycling path for both Bronx and Manhattan residents. We passionately believe that cycling creates opportunitiesfor transportation and exploration that might not otherwise exist," said Quentin Ball, executive director of I Challenge Myself.

"Completing this bold redesign of the Washington Bridge roadway significantly strengthens the connection between the Bronx and Manhattan with safer bicycling and walking and faster bus service," said Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York. "We're thankful to Commissioner Rodriguez and the Department of Transportation for prioritizing the need for better bridge access for all, which improves New Yorkers' quality of life, public safety, and environmental health."

"New Yorkers need streets - and bridges - for people, and we're glad to join DOT to cut the ribbon on the Washington Bridge redesign, delivering faster bus service for 68,000 daily riders and a new protected bike lane between the Bronx and Manhattan," said Jada Yeboah, Bronx/Uptown organizer for Transportation Alternatives. "Not only does this project give New Yorkers new sustainable and reliable ways to get around, it will also make our streets safer for everyone using it. After years of organizing with our activists and community members, we're thrilled that a new connection between boroughs is now open."

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