The Astoria Scum River Bridge

A leaky pipe might not be much compared to, say, whatever caused the Bronx Swamp to take shape—but for locals in Astoria their watery mess is both gross and hazardous. It allegedly makes 33rd Street, beneath the Hell Gate Bridge viaduct approach, a festering cesspool of standing water or (when it's cold) a festering cesspool popsicle! This thing has a nickname: the Astoria Scum River... and now that river has a bridge.

This unauthorized bridge was created to help pedestrians cross the dangerous mess safely. Made from recycled materials, and costing the city zero dollars—even Council Member Peter F. Vallone, Jr. commended it. He does know it was created by street artists, right?

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By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on January 26, 2010 3:50 PM

Comments [rss]

verbal

Don't Jump!

Janina

This morning I saw three Amtrak Workers inspecting the pipes underneath the bridge. Maybe they'll fix it? :o

jasoneppink

Yes, I spoke with them. They're fixing it as we speak!

lucyvanpelt

Now what we need is a bridge troll.

charshiu

Put a toll on it and let's generate some revenue for Astoria.

Spirit of 76

The right way around this is not to make some artsy-fartsy passive-aggressive bridge. Do a nice "slip and fall" ensuring you get a verifiable injury (but not too serious) and sue Amtrak for big bucks. They'll fix the thing quickly.

NannyState

Typical old school crap. I would have preferred a cable-stayed bridge.

S.K.

the plaque looks like the back of a used Mac.

what_runnery

This bridge has made me really happy to live in Astoria.

longacre

Did anyone ever call 311 to report this?

laisla

Let me know how reporting things like this to 311 goes for you.

longacre

Didn't realize it was Amtrak property.

If it were private 311 would actually work...the building where I live had an issue which led to sewage spraying out onto the sidewalk a few times a day. Landlord took his time fixing it, and eventually neighbors got annoyed and called 311. DEP was at my house several times a week writing summonses and taking photos until it was fixed.

silver

This is Amtrak, federal territory. Interstate commerce. States and cities can go ***k themselves.

JacqueMehoff

for some reason I like this.

and the work looks better than the rickety bridge over our stream.

TR

I was pleasantly surprised when this bridge showed up, I use it all the time now. The "scum river" is pretty disgusting, sometimes it looks like normal clear water but many times it is fungusy green sludge.

If they could construct a canopy to protect me from the "shit bridge" around the corner, I will love them forever!

jasoneppink

I've had Pigeon Shit Bridge in my sight for a while...

ckl

If they really cared about the people it would be bigger and cover the part that can't easily be stepped across.

What a disappointment.

laisla

So you want it in the middle of the sidewalk? Um, ok.

Not to mention, the width of the ice may change at various points in the body, but it will always likely flow through at the source.

Jen S

As an Astorian, I can guarantee that there are never two people on this block at a time.

harrisgraber

I have to use this block several times a year to visit my doctor. He's located a bit north of this, but on the same block. Now that you mention it, I don't really recall seeing anyone on the block when I go for my doctor's visits. It's a nice block, but it is quiet.