New York City Department Of Transportation
Road Work
Because of ongoing construction work at several locations throughout Queens and Brooklyn, the DOT has announced numerous street closures in local neighborhoods for the upcoming week.
The announced diversions are current as of Wednesday, Jan. 2. The DOT may shut down other roads should the need for emergency repairs arise.
Streets and highways that are affected by closures during this week include the following:
Lane Closures On Van Wyck Expwy.
One of three lanes in each direction of the Van Wyck Expressway between Jewel Avenue and Union Turnpike may be closed on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. due to construction work related to the Kew Gardens rehabilitation project.
Additionally, up to two lanes in either direction of the expressway in the same section may be closed on overnights from 1 to 5 a.m.
Kew Gdns. Project Affects Union Tpke.
Long-term construction related to the state Department of Transportation’s Kew Gardens Interchange project will require the right lane of Union Turnpike eastbound to be closed at all times between 128th and 134th streets. All existing traffic lanes will remain open and are shifted to the left.
Lane Closures On Grand Central Pkwy.
One lane of the Grand Central Parkway in each direction will be closed between 82nd and 111th streets on weekdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on weekdays. Lane closures will also take place from 10 p.m. Fridays to 7 a.m. Saturdays and from 10 p.m. Saturdays to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Two lanes of traffic in each direction may be closed on weeknights from 12:01 until 5 a.m., Saturdays from 1 to 6 a.m. and Sundays from 1 to 9 a.m.
Exit Ramp Closed Near Whitestone Br.
The Third Avenue exit on the northbound approach to the Whitestone Bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning on Monday, Jan. 7, as part of a $109 million reconstruction project.
Separate car and truck detours will be in place while the exit ramp is closed. Signs will be in place and traffic agents will be on hand when the detours begin. The closure is expected to remain in place for approximately two years.
Passenger vehicles driving from the northbound Cross Island Parkway will have to exit at Utopia Parkway (exit 34); those driving from the northbound Whitestone Expressway will need to exit past the 20th Avenue exit and merge onto the Cross Island Parkway.
All commercial vehicles must exit the Whitestone Expressway at 20th Avenue (exit 15).
E.E. Cruz of Manhattan and Tully Construction Co., of Queens were awarded a joint-venture contract for the 42-month project in July 2011 and have already relocated the playground beneath the bridge and are now reconstructing the bridge’s support foundations and building six doublearch concrete piers to support the approach roadways wider 12-foot lanes and new emergency shoulders.
Lane by lane demolition of the existing roadway and the roadway superstructure will begin in the spring. This work will require a permanent lane closure for approximately a year. A movable barrier will be used to maintain three lanes of traffic during peak morning and afternoon drive times.
For additional closures, visit the city DOT’s website at www.nyc.gov/dot or call 311.
