Residents and stakeholders in Queens and Brooklyn are invited to attend a public information session hosted by the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) to learn more about the future of the historic Grand Street Bridge.
The first of two sessions will be held in Maspeth on Monday, April 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Frank Kowalinski Post, located at 61-57 Maspeth Ave. A formal presentation is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., though attendees may arrive and participate at any time during the event.
This meeting, along with a second session scheduled for Wednesday, April 30, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, at the Swinging 60’s Senior Center, will provide the public with an overview of the Grand Street Bridge Project.
The same presentation will be given at both meetings. The events will be held in an open house format, with NYC DOT representatives available throughout to answer questions and provide information.
The Grand Street Bridge, a swing bridge that spans Newtown Creek, serves as a critical transportation link between Maspeth and Williamsburg and is a key connector for the North Brooklyn and Maspeth Industrial Business Zones.
According to 2019 data, the bridge handles an average of 11,400 vehicles daily, with approximately two-thirds of that traffic heading westbound into Brooklyn and one-third eastbound into Queens. The structure currently accommodates one lane and one sidewalk in each direction.
After more than 120 years in operation, the bridge is nearing the end of its useful life. The structure suffers from numerous deficiencies, including outdated mechanical and electrical systems, storm-related damage, and geometric constraints that make it too narrow to support modern traffic demands. The upcoming project aims to address these issues and improve the bridge’s structural integrity, resiliency, and operational reliability.
The proposed improvements will focus on creating a safer and more efficient crossing for multi-modal transportation, including cars, buses, trucks, pedestrians, cyclists, and marine vessels navigating Newtown Creek.
The project will also consider a wide range of social, economic, environmental, and transportation factors. These include potential impacts on property and local businesses, coastal and navigable waters, hazardous materials, historical and cultural resources, air quality, noise, land use, and overall traffic flow.
A Design Report/Environmental Assessment (DR/EA) is being prepared for the project in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The DR/EA will also support the completion of a City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Environmental Assessment Statement and satisfy requirements under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).
The environmental assessment process is expected to take approximately 12 months. Key steps include the issuance of a NEPA Environmental Assessment Letter of Intent, publication of the Draft DR/EA and its public availability, the upcoming public meetings, and a 30-day public comment period, followed by the finalization and approval of the DR/EA.
After environmental determinations are complete, the project will move into the Design Phase, with construction to begin thereafter.
Three agencies are working together on the project: the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as the federal lead agency, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) as a joint lead agency, and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) as the project sponsor and joint lead agency.
Residents are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming sessions to learn more about this infrastructure project and to share their input with the project team.
