DOT Planning Bridge Construction In LIC

"If any problem arise with the construction, we will address them immediately," said Weinshall.
Both projects, slated to be completed by the Oct. 2002, will begin as soon as Monday morning.
The DOT will keep Queens Blvd. Bridge partially open to traffic and rebuild the Bridge in two stageshalf of the bridge at a time. The Bridge will remain open to Manhattan-bound traffic during construction, however, the number of available traffic lanes will be reduced from three to two lanes.
The DOT recommends that motorists use the upper level of the Queensboro Bridge when travelling to Queens. If you use the lower level, take Crescent St., 27 St. or Jackson Ave. and proceed onto 44 Dr. and Thomson Ave. and return to Queens Blvd. Crescent St. will be reversed to one-way southbound.
The DOT is proceeding with this work because the 91-year-old Queens Blvd. Bridge is in a state of severe disrepair. Age, weather and increased traffic have taken its toll on the bridge.
Perini Construction will work on the Queens Blvd. Bridge for a cost of $40.8 million, with a completion date of Oct. 2002. However, the DOT is including incentive and disincentive clauses. The contractor can receives $3 million in incentives if work is finished early. The DOT will also fine the contractor $50,000 a day for an unlimited period of time if the project is late.
Working on the Honeywell Bridge should also be completed by Oct. 2002. Again, the DOT has included incentive and disincentive clauses in its $31.8 million reconstruction project.
"With an eye toward the future, Borough President Shulman recommended that we rebuild Honeywell Street Bridge to help with traffic flow," said Weinshall. "Many years ago, the city actually considered closing and demapping the bridge, but Shulman has led the fight against this initiative. In reviewing traffic patterns, we realized she was correct about using the bridge again."