New crosswalks and wider meridians help make the Grand Concourse safer for pedestrians. Image Credit: DDC
Phase 4 of the project will begin in April 2021. On August 12, 2020, the Department of Transportation, Department of Design and Construction, and Department of Environmental Protection, along with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Council Member Vanessa Gibson, announced the completion of Phase 3 of the reconstruction of Grand Concourse in the Bronx.
Grand Concourse was one of the four streets included in Mayor de Blasio’s $250 million “Great Streets” initiative to redesign the City’s most dangerous roadways. The other three streets in this initiative are 4th Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, and Queens Boulevard in Queens.
The Grand Concourse renovation has used $26 million of “Great Streets” funding thus far, and included eight blocks of the thoroughfare from 171th Street to 175th Street. Phase 4 of the reconstruction will begin in April 2021, and will extend from 175th Street to Fordham Road. Officials expect Grand Concourse’s reconstruction to be completed by summer 2023.
Grand Concourse’s reconstruction has included over 34,000 square yards of repaved roadway on both the main and service roads, over 95,000 square feet of updated sidewalk, and 12,750 feet of updated curbs. Wider landscaped and planted medians, new curb extensions, bollards, and high-visibility crosswalks were installed to increase pedestrian safety and decrease pedestrian crossing time. Additionally, the bike lane was relocated to the lane adjacent to the median to reduce conflicts between bikes and pedestrians, and to improve traffic flow.
Sixteen trees in poor condition were removed and replaced with 35 new trees, and fifty-one streetlights were restored with new LED light poles. Additionally, thirty-three 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.
DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg stated, “We are excited to announce another milestone in our Great Streets program–this time for Phase 3 along the historic Grand Concourse. 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 officials, Bronxnites will now get to enjoy these quality of life changes such as easier commutes, safer crossings, brighter streets, and enhanced scenery.”
DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo stated, “The reconstruction of Grand Concourse is making a major Bronx thoroughfare safer, more beautiful and more pedestrian-friendly. The completion of phase 3 is a major milestone and we look forward to working with DOT to extend these improvements all the way to Fordham Road.”
By: Victoria Agosta (Victoria is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2022.)