A $15 million project is underway in Jamaica Estates to rehabilitate a bridge running over the Grand Central Parkway. NY1's Clodagh McGowan has more on how they'll do it in just 10 days.
While cars are still driving on the Grand Central Parkway below, up above, crews are hard at work on the 188th Street Bridge.
"We are rehabilitating the bridge, and we're using accelerated bridge construction methods to expedite the construction of the project and to minimize the impact on the traveling public," said Diane Park, public information officer for the New York State Department of Transportation.
The $15 million project is part of Governor Andrew Cuomo's "Drivers First Initiative," a plan to reduce the impact of construction on commuters.
Maspeth company El Sol Contracting and Construction is the contractor for the project.
Workers will remove and replace the bridge decks within 10 days.
"With the techniques we're using now, we'll probably save at least four months on the project," said Park.
The techniques include using pre-cast concrete deck panels, which are made off-site. That means there's no time wasted waiting for concrete to set.
"We are actually using this strategy on other projects as well, including some of our larger projects like the Major Deegan rehabilitation project we're doing. On the Kosciuszko Bridge, we're using pre-cast concrete deck panels," said Park.
The new bridge decks are also being created with fewer joints to prevent water leaking in and corroding the steel support underneath.
According the State Department of Transportation, that means lower maintenance costs in the future.
"It also enhances the stability of the bridge for the long-term," said Park.
The project will be substantially complete, which means traffic will be driving in both directions on the brand new bridge deck, by the fall.