Bridge renovations set to start this fall
BY ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL-DOMENECH
Renovation work on the Brooklyn Bridge is
scheduled to begin this fall, according to the
Department of Transportation.
The agency recently awarded a $328.3 million contract
to New York City-based construction companies
Navillus and MLJ contracting to repoint the bridge’s
two towers and replace walls and facades along both
the Manhattan and Brooklyn approaches, which have
become dilapidated over the last 125 years, as well
as marred by graffi ti. Navillus confi rmed that work
would begin in September.
As part of the facade renovations, the supportive
archways along the Brooklyn Bridge’s Manhattan approach
will be repointed, eroded red bricks will be
replaced and new operable stainless-steel doors and
decorative angled slats resembling windows will be installed.
Behind the brick facades, new reinforced concrete
walls will be constructed. Any original remaining
railings, stairs, signage and other related infrastructure
too deteriorated to repair will be removed.
The majority of the work planned on the bridge’s
Brooklyn side is repointing on archways. The span’s
towers will also be repointed, plus receive reinforcing
bars to secure granite blocks within its Gothic
arches.
D.O.T. plans on improving drainage and restoring
adjacent sidewalks along the bridge approaches,
as well. The entire restoration process will be photographically
documented.
The project’s focus is on “meeting today’s codes and
standards with preservation strategies in retaining and
extending the life of the bridge’s iconic appearance,” a
D.O.T. spokesperson stated.
Protestors march across the Brooklyn Bridge as part of rally calling for Governor Cuomo to
stop the proposed Williams Pipeline on April 18.
In July, the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission
approved the agency’s restoration plan for the
bridge, which was completed in 1883 and landmarked
in 1967.
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PHOTO BY ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL-DOMENECH
The bridge work is expected to continue through
2023, with no closures to the bridge’s walkway anticipated,
while travel lane closures will be limited,
according to D.O.T.
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10 August 8 - August 21, 2019 DEX Schneps Media