Kosciuszko Bridge Gets A Redesign (in 2014)

The Kosciuszko Bridge, one of the worst bridges in all of New York State—and the worst in New York City, is getting redesigned. Last night four possible designs for the bridge, which goes over Newtown Creek and connects Brooklyn and Queens, were unveiled by the DoT for residents to review and critique. The renderings are even accompanied by this amazingly soundtracked simulation video!

Each design has an increased number of lanes, featuring five toward Brooklyn and four toward Queens. There will also be a pedestrian walkway and bike lane. The NY Times reports that a price tag wasn't put on the project, though word is it could cost up to $1.7 billion. But as one DoT director declared, “It will be the first new bridge in New York City since the Verrazano. This is a big deal.”

That big deal will be happening in, oh, about 4 years from now, when they start construction. And when that happens, the two new bridges (one going in each direction), will be built next to the current structure to make the transition a bit less inconvenient.

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By Jen Carlson in News on February 19, 2010 5:10 PM

Comments [rss]

lucy van pelt

Hmm...should I bother mentioning that Brooklyn and Queens are not really disconnected...? uh..nahhh let's just build that billion dollar bridge!!! with lazer lights! Whoo hoo!

votersofny

Maybe if they did pothole repairs on the BQE and Belt parkway and other majors roads on weekends or nights instead of the middle of the day, traffic wouldn't be so bad.

At 9 AM the other day, they had TWO lanes closed on the FDR north for roving pothole repairs. Any time of the day is bad to close TWO lanes. Traffic is backed up for miles so a couple of aholes can make a pothole worst than it was before they 'fixed' it.

They do the same on the BQE, Belt any other major roads. Just to save a few dollars while peeing away millions on stupid stuff, like parades, etc.? Bloomberg is a jerk.

TeddyNYC

While it would be nice to get a modern cable-stayed bridge (lower-right photo) as New York City's first new bridge in 45 years, it would also be the most expensive option. Then again, this bridge will be around for a long time (hopefully) so maybe we should build something nice that ranks among the world's best bridge designs. It would join another cable-stayed bridge that has been proposed for our region, the new Goethals bridge. Yeah, it's definitely time to begin replacing several of our aging bridges.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable-stayed_bridge

MEDICNYC

Get a life.

NannyState

How about a simple concrete bridge like the new I-35W in Minneapolis that they built in under a year for about $200 million? Does everything have to be a union certified fashion show?

MEDICNYC

Who gives a shit about what it looks like? As long as it doesn't take a fucking hour to get across to go to the LIE or 48 Street exit I don't care.

Abbott

Couldn't agree more. This bridge doesn't need to be pretty, just functional. These designs are some pre-recession bullshit!

robindustry

Can't wait to unicycle the new span!

http://unicyclenycbridgetour.blogspot.com/

jchez

Just put up a trestle for all I care. Towers and supension cables for that span? Somebody is a Calatrava wannabe.

HOTCUP

wow, that thing is huuuuge compared to what's there now.

wonder what it will look like at night? i notice there's no streetlights in the simulation...

longacre

If those are the only four choices, just pick the cheapest one please because none of them are anything special.

Jen S

Yes. Double-check that it's the kid of bridge that doesn't fall, then build.

Jen S

*kind. d'oh.

eyekantspel

unions must be giving us a discount. oh, wait, that's just the projected cost. multiply by 2.5, so a little over 4 trillion by the time they're done.