Bridging the States: Bicycle Improvements between New York and New Jersey Presentation to the New York Cycle Club October 10, 2017
Port Authority Bridges 2
Infrastructure with History Port Authority Annual Report, 1932 The New York Times, May 29, 1940 3
Physical Conditions Impediments to access at the Bayonne and George Washington Bridge Stairs at both bridges prohibit wheelchair use and are difficult for cyclists Inadequate switchback ramp at the GWB No access at the Goethals Bridge or the Outerbridge Crossing 4
Pedestrian and Cyclist Use • Intercept surveys at the George Washington Bridge • Pedestrians and cyclists counts 5
Improvements as Part of Capital Projects 6
Goethals Bridge Replacement Project • First new Port Authority bridge since 1931 • Includes a 10-foot path for use by pedestrians and cyclists • Anticipated completion: Late 2018 7
Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Project • “Raise the Roadway” – construction of a whole new roadway through the arch • Includes a 12-foot path for use by pedestrians and cyclists • Anticipated completion: mid-2019 8
Restoring the George Rehabilitation Program $1.9 billion State of Good Repair program • Suspender rope replacement • Rehabilitation of steel and removal of lead paint • Replacement and rehabilitation of multiple ramps and overpasses • Pavement rehabilitation • Improved access, increased capacity and dedicated paths for pedestrians and cyclists 9
Improving Access and Removing Conflicts NEW NEW JERSEY C Y C L I S T S O N T H E N O R T H YORK P AT H N J B I C Y C L E N Y B I C Y C L E AC C E S S AC C E S S T O W E R AR E A I M P R O V E M E N T S N J P E D E S T R I AN AC C E S S N Y P E D E S T R I AN P E D E S T R I AN S O N T H E S O U T H P AT H AC C E S S 10
Dedicated Paths for Different User Groups Existing: Pedestrians and cyclists share the existing south sidewalk Future: Providing cyclists and pedestrians with their own dedicated paths will improve the experience for both user groups 11
Tower Area Improvements Constructing new “wedges” at the towers will allow cyclists to ride across the entire bridge without dismounting. 12
Cyclist Entrance – NJ Existing • No crosswalk • No entry area buffered from the street • Stair-only access to bridge Future • New crosswalk (across Hudson Terrace) • Spacious entry plaza • Viewing platform • Ramp access to the bridge 13
Cyclists Access Ramp – NJ 14
Cyclist Entrance – NY Existing • No crosswalk • No entry area buffered from the street • Stair access only Future • Spacious entry plaza • Viewing platform • Ramp access to the bridge 15
Bicycle Access – NY 16
Pedestrian Entrance – NJ Existing • No crosswalk • No entry area with buffer from the street • Narrow sidewalk with vehicular gate impediment Future • New crosswalk (across Hudson Terrace) • Spacious entry plaza and sidewalk to the bridge 17
Pedestrian Entrance – NY Existing • No entry area buffered from the street • Ramp access is narrow with constricted turns Future • Spacious entry plaza • Viewing platform • Choice between access ramp and stairs 18
Pedestrian Access – NY 19
Entrance Plazas Entrances have limited opportunities for gathering and place- Future entrance plazas will provide bridge orientation, making (existing South Sidewalk) wayfinding, and meet-up areas for enhanced user experience 20
Interim Measures George Washington Bridge – maintaining safety and access The 3 E’s • Engineering • Education • Enforcement 21
Construction Staging and Mitigation Bayonne Bridge Shuttle provided trips to more than 4,500 passengers with almost 1,200 bikes on summer weekends between 2013 and 2015 GWB: • Reconstruct the north side first – maintains access without stairs • Move operation to the improved side and then work on the south 22
Bridging the States Three major projects improving access for pedestrians and cyclists between New Jersey and New York 23
Thank You Questions? Visit us at: www.panynj.gov Follow @panynj www.instagram.com/panynj www.facebook.com/panynj www.linkedin.com/company/port-authority-of-ny-&-nj
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