The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today the completion of the second and final phase of the Pelham Parkway reconstruction, a $129 million project that incorporated major improvements including 1.7 miles of new dedicated bus lanes serving 49,000 bus riders per day, upgraded bus stops, safety improvements in the area, upgrading underground utilities, new storm sewers and catch basins, and 250 additional trees. The project was managed by DDC for DOT and DEP.
“Flooding along Pelham Parkway has been a public safety concern for some time but thanks to this $72 million investment, we have already seen less standing water and we are receiving fewer reports from residents and businesses,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Thank you to our partners at DDC and DOT for ensuring this was a holistic safety improvement for the neighborhood, with the addition of new water mains, a dedicated bus lane, and pedestrian and cyclist upgrades.”
“In addition to delivering vital new storm infrastructure, this project brings upgrades to a dozen existing bus stops as well as new, dedicated bus lanes along a critical cross-Bronx corridor, better connecting bus riders from Co-op City to Manhattan,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank our sister agencies for their close coordination to make bus service faster and more reliable for tens of thousands of daily commuters.”
“With the completion of Phase 2, DDC has now rebuilt 1.8 miles of Pelham Parkway from Boston Road to Stillwell Avenue with better streets, more safety features, more trees and better curbs and crosswalks. But the majority of the work is underground, where DEP funded sewer upgrades and also water system improvements that help connect the area to the City’s new Third Water Tunnel,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “I would like to thank the Bronx community for being patient during construction and I hope they enjoy the major improvements that were made to this large, busy parkway.”
The project, which started construction in August 2017, was created to improve bus speed and reliability for the 49,000 bus riders every day who use this corridor. The 1.7 miles of new bus lanes primarily serve the BX12 Select Bus Service route, the busiest bus route in the Bronx, providing a critical cross-Bronx transportation corridor connecting from Co-op City to Manhattan, and providing access to a multitude of institutions, subway connections, and shopping districts, including Fordham Road. Amenity improvements were added at 12 bus stops, including new seating and detectible warning strips along the curb line. The project also included the installation of over 8,000 feet of new storm sewers to improve drainage plus the reconstruction of more than 2,000 feet of existing combined sewers. Over 9,000 feet of trunk water mains were installed, including 48-inch and 36-inch pipes. Between Esplanade and Williamsbridge Road, the larger 48-inch trunk main had to be reduced to three smaller pipes, called a manifold, to pass over the underground subway station.
Over 25,000 feet of distribution water mains were replaced. A total of 19 specialized DEP water and sewer chambers were installed underground, 191 new catch basins were installed to improve street drainage and 254 additional trees now cover the project area.
To prioritize the safety of road users, 240 streetlights were upgraded along with 70 traffic signals. High-visibility pavement markings were added along with a new dedicated bus lane and 14,410 feet of new timber guard rails. New curbs and sidewalks were installed throughout the area and 141 corner pedestrian ramps were rebuilt to be ADA-compliant, with three new ramps added. Peace Plaza at the intersection of Williamsbridge Road was renovated. The reconstruction also included the cobblestone sloped wall and steel fence along Pelham Parkway North Service Road between Bronxwood Avenue and Wallace Avenue.
“The successful completion of the Pelham Parkway reconstruction represents a critical investment in the safety, accessibility, and well-being of our community – providing a much-needed overhaul of our infrastructure while preserving the greenery that contributes to parkway’s unique character,” said New York State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “This multifaceted project will address long-standing street flooding issues and enhance safety for drivers and community members alike with improvements that will ensure a more resilient and sustainable future for our community, including upgraded underground utilities, new storm sewers, and dedicated bus lanes. The reconstruction will add to the green landscape of the Bronx and benefit the surrounding community with cleaner air, better street drainage, water absorption, and flood protection. As we celebrate this milestone, I want to extend my appreciation to the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYC Department of Transportation, and the NYC Department of Design and Construction for their work on this project and the community for their ongoing engagement to shape a better future for Pelham Parkway.”
“The completion of Phase 2 of the Pelham Parkway Reconstruction means that our community is now better suited to handle the hurdles of the future,” said New York State Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. “Thanks to projects like upgrades to underground utilities including new storm drains, the creation of a dedicated bus lane, and an additional 250 trees being added to Pelham Parkway, there is something for everyone to be proud of. I want to thank the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Design and Construction for spearheading the next chapter for the Bronx and arming us with the fundamentals to conquer what is to come.”
“Pelham Parkway greatly benefits from these much-needed infrastructural improvements, especially as we see an increase in traffic,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez. “These improvements will make the roadway safer, smoother, and equally driver-friendly and commuter-friendly for our district. It’s exciting seeing the years of work put into this project come to life, especially during a time when our community is burdened by flooding on our roads, a result of the impact climate change is having on our community. I’d like to thank NYC DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley and his team for working with the community and local officials to ensure roadway updates were communicated and making Pelham Parkway safer for all.”
The Pelham Parkway Phase II project recently received a Gold Award in the Water Resources category in the 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York).
Pelham Parkway Phase I included renovations to the main road eastbound from Bronx River Parkway to Hutchinson River Parkway and Pelham Parkway South from Boston Road to Bassett Avenue. That project began in 2010 and ended in 2013.
Image captions:
- A new bus lane on Pelham Parkway North where a $129 million infrastructure project has added new safety features plus water mains and storm sewers.
- Pelham Parkway North Service Road between Esplanade and Williamsbridge Road. The 48-inch trunk water main was reduced to three smaller pipes, called a manifold, to accommodate the underground subway station.
- A new high-visibility crosswalk and pedestrian island with ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps atEsplanade and Williamsbridge Road.
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