Phase 3 of Grand Concourse complete
City agencies, pols hold a ribbon cutting in honor of the accomplishment
BY JASON COHEN
City agencies, elected offi cials and
advocates recently announced the
completion of Phase 3 of the reconstruction
of the Grand Concourse.
This boulevard is a Vision Zero
priority corridor as well as one of the
four “Great Streets” identifi ed and prioritized
by the de Blasio Administration
for signifi cant infrastructure and
safety improvements. The $26 million
project completely rehabilitated eight
blocks of the thoroughfare from 171
Street to 175 Street.
Safety enhancements included rebuilding
roadways, curbs, sidewalks,
replacing street lighting and traffi c
signals and adding new pedestrian
safety features such as curb extensions
and new wider medians.
Since implementation of Vision
Zero in 2014, Grand Concourse from
161 Street to Fordham Road has seen
a signifi cant decrease in traffi c related
injuries and fatalities. Between
2014 and 2017, the total number of injuries
was reduced from 286 to 210, in
which serious injuries decreased from
28 to four injuries. There were two fatalities
in 2015, which dropped in comparison
to the eight fatalities in the
previous years.
Between 2013 and 2017 the Phase 3
Elected offi cials at the ribbon cutting Courtesy of DDC
portion of Grand Concourse saw 176
injuries and two deaths. Construction
for this phase began in December 2017
and was managed by the Department
of Design and Construction for the
Department of Transportation. Phase
4 of the reconstruction of Grand Concourse,
�� Teacher (all levels)
�� Family Worker/Advocates
�� Home Visitors
�� Health Specialist/Nurse
�� Custodians
�� Cooks
�� Security Guards
�� Health Nutrition & Safety
Visit our website for career listings.
APPLY NOW!
GO TO CMCS.ORG/CAREERS
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,32 AUGUST 21-27, 2020 BTR
extending from 175th Street
to Fordham Road began in April
and is anticipated to be completed in
summer 2023.
“We are excited to announce another
milestone in our Great Streets
program — this time for Phase 3 along
the historic Grand Concourse,” said
DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.
“Over the years, DOT has lowered the
speed limit on this corridor, created
a campaign to reduce drunk driving,
and now we are thrilled to unveil
these amazing new safety enhancements.
Thanks to our federal and state
partners, as well as elected offi cials,
Bronxnites will now get to enjoy these
quality of life changes such as easier
commutes, safer crossings, brighter
streets and enhanced scenery.”
Work also included over 34,000
square yards of repaved roadway on
both the main and service roads. More
than 95,000 square feet of sidewalk was
replaced and almost 2.5 miles of curbs
were restored.
New, wider landscaped and planted
medians were added to decrease pedestrian
crossing time. New curb extensions,
bollards and high-visibility
crosswalks were installed to further
enhance pedestrian safety. In addition,
the existing bike lane was relocated
to the lane adjacent to the median to
reduce confl icts between bikes and
pedestrians, bicyclists weaving and
improve traffi c fl ow.
Sixteen trees were removed in the
project area, many in poor condition
and were replaced with 35 new ones.
Fifty-one streetlights were restored
with new LED light poles. Thirtythree
pedestrian ramps were replaced
and 23 new ones were installed. A total
of 329 feet of sewers and water mains
were also restored, along with 11 catch
basins to improve drainage.
Notable funding for this phase of
the project comes from the de Blasio
Administration, Borough President
Ruben Diaz Jr, the New York State Department
of Transportation and the
Federal Highway Administration.
“The Grand Concourse reconstruction
project looks to the future of The
Bronx by improving the functionality
and overall appearance of a major
transportation artery and encouraging
the community to use the space
in new ways,” said Borough President
Ruben Diaz Jr. “It’s important that
Bronxites traveling the Concourse by
foot or bicycle feel safe because these
methods of transportation are low- to
no-cost and environmentally friendly,
along with the added health benefi ts
which come from regular exercise and
fresh air. I thank the New York City
Department of Transportation, the
NYC Department of Design and Construction
and the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection
for partnering with me to build
a better Bronx for this generation
and the next.”
The Great Streets program redesigns
major corridors across the city
in efforts to reduce crashes, enhance
mobility, increase accessibility and
bolster neighborhood vitality. To learn
more details about the Great Streets
program, please visit https://www.nycdotplan.
nyc/transform-high-crash-arterial
roads-vision-zero-great-streets.
TALENT SEARCH FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES!
or Email: Personnel@cmcs.org
Call: (914) 997-8000 Fax: (914) 741-0748
/transform-high-crash-ar-terial-roads-vision-zero-great-streets
/transform-high-crash-ar-terial-roads-vision-zero-great-streets
/transform-high-crash-ar-terial-roads-vision-zero-great-streets
/transform-high-crash-ar-terial-roads-vision-zero-great-streets
/transform-high-crash-ar-terial-roads-vision-zero-great-streets
link
/CAREERS
link
