The state Department of Transportation announced on Tuesday that construction on the Lefferts Boulevard overpass near John F. Kennedy Airport in South Ozone Park has been officially completed.
Reconstruction on the bridge, which runs over the Belt Parkway, was the final part of a $49 million plan to that rehabilitated bridges in Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn.
“The completion of this three-bridge project represents smart investments we are making to ensure that New York is well equipped to meet the transportation needs of motorists today and in the future,” said New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas. “The successful rehabilitation of the Lefferts Boulevard Bridge enhances safety and improves the travel experience for motorists moving throughout Queens.”
As a part of the reconstruction, which began in January 2018, the bridge deck was replaced using pre-cast concrete deck panels, the substructure was rehabilitated, and new sidewalks, resurfaced pavement at the bridge approaches and LED lighting were added.
The project used the design-build project delivery method, making both the engineering design and the construction of a project are contracted by a single entity. This method allowed some aspects of the construction work to begin before the design of other components is completed, ultimately results in lower costs, quicker construction and a shorter overall project duration.
“The completion of the Lefferts Boulevard Bridge project marks a progressive step forward in improving the safety and timeliness of travel for motorists in southeast Queens and beyond,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “It also represents a vital investment in the long-term stability of our city’s infrastructure and sets a welcome precedent for future improvements to our streets, bridges and tunnels.”
