Pelham Parkway reconstruction needs additional 18 months
The resurfacing of the main westbound roadway of Pelham Parkway has created traffi c, especially at morning
and evening commuting times, as seen here on Pelham Parkway near Eastchester Avenue.
Photo by Silvio Pacifi co
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, J 16 ULY 26-AUGUST 1, 2019 BTR
718-416-5255
Thomas James
ROOFING AND WATERPROOFING
Thomas James
ROOFING AND WEATHERPROOFING
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BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
The second phase of Pelham
Parkway’s massive reconstruction
is making progress, but
may take additional 18 months
to complete.
Pelham Parkway’s two
northern-most roadways are
being rebuilt as part a massive,
$100-plus million ‘Phase 2’ reconstruction
of the two northern
most roadways on the
parkway, following the completion
of ‘Phase 1’ in 2015, which
rebuilt the two southern-most
roads.
The westbound main roadway
between Stillwell Avenue
and White Plains Road is currently
receiving resurfacing,
slowing vehicular traffi c along
the parkway’s length as travel
lanes are reduced.
Some community leaders
would like to see Phase 2 completed
faster.
“Traffi c is a disaster there,”
said Al D’Angelo, Morris Park
Community Association president.
“Go (to the west-bound
roadway) anytime between 3
p.m. and 6 p.m. and you will
fi nd it all backed up on Pelham
Parkway.”
D’Angelo said it is his belief
that the project could go faster,
saying that oftentimes he
passes by the worksite during
times when construction takes
place and sees only a handful of
workers on the job.
A DDC spokeswoman said
that the project’s end date has
been pushed back to spring
2023.
According to Community
Board 11 meeting minutes it
had been originally projected
for completion in the summer
of 2021.
“The project is anticipated
to be completed in spring 2023
as a result of delays while we
wait for Con Edison to relocate
major gas and electrical
lines located under Pelham
Parkway,” stated DDC spokeswoman
Shoshana Khan.
In addition, in response to
community concerns about
poor road quality and sinking
in some areas along the Pelham
Parkway South service road after
the Phase 1 reconstruction,
DDC is indicating that when
Phase 2 is complete, the Phase 1
concerns will be addressed.
“Following the completion
of Phase 2 of the project, the
city will go back and resurface
the entirety of Phase 1,” stated
the DDC spokeswoman.
D’Angleo, also CB 11’s chairman,
echoed the concerns
of the other board members
about the selection of the same
contractor from the fi rst phase
for the second, and believes
any issues with the Phase 1
work should be repaired at the
contractor’s expense, instead
of the city’s.
He noted that the Phase 1
reconstruction was a contract
that was just under $40 million
and Phase 2 is approximately
triple that, yet around places
where there are drains and
manholes residents have been
dealing with sinking roadways,
especially on Pelham Parkway
South.
Jeremy Warneke, CB 11 district
manager, confi rmed that
the conditions that need to be
remediated and the roadways
from the Phase 1 project would
be addressed at the city’s cost.
According to DDC, work on
all highway drains and catch
basins in Phase 2 were completed,
along with two miles of
20” water distribution main including
fi re hydrants and fi ve
sections of 36” water main.
Still remaining to be completed
on the project, in addition
to the resurfacing, are
the installation of more water
mains, combined sewer enhancements,
street and traffi c
light replacement, sidewalk reconstruction,
and the ongoing
relocation of gas mains, according
to the agency.