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Street, Bridge Closures and General Transportation Updates Through 2026 in The Bronx

Throgs Neck Bridge, New York City
Freshman from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy practicing their sailing skills at sunset where the East River and Long Island Sound meet. Whitestone, Queens and Midtown Manhattan are in the background. Taken from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy grounds, Kings Point, Long Island, New York.

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), the MTA, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), New York City Department of Design & Construction (DDC), the NYPD, and other government agencies and private entities have shared the following street and bridge closures and transportation updates for The Bronx through 2026, as of Friday, Jan. 20.

 

Bridge Closures 

Madison Avenue Bridge over Harlem River

Single-lane traffic in both directions will be closed off Monday to Friday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning, and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. the next morning, through February 23. Additionally, the bridge will be fully closed to Bronx-bound traffic Monday to Friday from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. and Saturday from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m., and to Manhattan-bound traffic during the same days from 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. These closures are to facilitate rehabilitation and testing.

 

Willis Avenue Bridge

The bridge will be fully closed, up to two nights per week, Monday to Friday from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m., through March 21, to facilitate electrical repairs. The bridge will also be fully closed on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Friday, Jan. 20, to facilitate maintenance. Motorists are advised to use Madison Avenue Bridge as an alternate route.

 

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (RFK Bridge), through June 1, 2023

Single-lane traffic in each direction will be closed Monday to Friday from 10.30 p.m. to 5 a.m. next morning, Saturdays from 12 a.m. to 6.30 a.m., and Sundays from midnight to 11 a.m. on the FDR Drive/Harlem River Drive (HRD) in the vicinity of RFK Bridge. Also, Willis Avenue ramp from the FDR Drive/HRD, northbound lane, will partially be closed during these times. The closures will continue through June 1, 2023 to facilitate a new pedestrian walkway and fender rehabilitation.

 

Eastern Boulevard Bridge (Bruckner Boulevard): Single-lane traffic will be closed off Saturday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 6.30 a.m. the next morning. Double-lane traffic will be closed off Saturday to Friday from 1 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. These closures are necessary to facilitate repairs. At least one lane will be opened at all times.

 

East 175th Street between Washington Avenue and Park Avenue West (southbound): This street will be closed 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday through Jan. 30 to facilitate crane operation

 

East 179th Street between Jerome Avenue and Walton Street: This street will be closed from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 5 for mainline track repairs.

 

East Burnside Avenue between Jerome Avenue and Walton Avenue: This street will be closed from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 5 for mainline track repairs.

 

Honeywell Avenue between East 180 Street and East 179 Street: This street will be closed Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 14 to facilitate crane operation.

 

Eastern Boulevard Bridge (Bruckner Boulevard): Single-lane northbound will be closed Saturday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6.30 a.m. the next morning. Double-lane traffic will be closed from 1 a.m. to 6.30 a.m. These closures are necessary through January 27 to facilitate bridge repairs.

 

Andrews Avenue South between West 176 Street and West Tremont Avenue: This street will be closed Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday or Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 30 to facilitate crane operation.

 

Bruckner Boulevard between 3 Avenue and Lincoln Avenue: This street will be closed Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through March 26 to facilitate new building operation.

 

Amethyst Street between Rhinelander Avenue and NYCTA Subway: This street will be closed Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 30 for the installation of a private sewer main.

 

Park Avenue East between East 174th Street and Ittner Place: This street will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday through Jan. 30 to facilitate crane operation.

 

Park Avenue East between East 175th Street and Ittner Place: This street will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday through Jan. 30 to facilitate crane operation.

East Burnside Avenue between Jerome Avenue and Walton Avenue: This street will be closed from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 5 for mainline track repairs.

Park Avenue East between East 174th Street and Ittner Place: This street will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday through Jan. 30 to facilitate crane operation.

Park Avenue East between East 175th Street and Ittner Place: This street will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday through Jan. 30 to facilitate crane operation.

 

Hutchinson River Parkway in the vicinity of Westchester Avenue Bridge: Single-lane traffic, northbound, will close Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. next day, and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. next day. Single-lane traffic, southbound, will close Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. next morning, and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m. next day. Double-lane traffic, northbound, will close Friday from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m., Saturday from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m., and Sunday from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Double-lane traffic, southbound, will close Friday from 12.01 a.m. to 5 a.m., Saturday from 1 a.m. to 6.30 a.m., and Sunday from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. These closures will continue through Dec. 31 to facilitate bridge reconstruction.

 

Shore Road Bridge over the Hutchinson River: Single-lane traffic, northbound, will be closed Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Single-lane traffic in both directions will be closed Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. These closures are necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance.

 

Major Deegan Expressway (northbound) between Exit 3 and Entrance ramp north of East 138th Street: Right-lane traffic will become an exit only lane 24/7 at Exit 3. An additional lane will be closed Friday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m., and Sunday night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. next morning through March 3, 2025 to facilitate East 138th Street Bridge replacement. A full closure may occur Friday between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. for demolition and erection of the superstructure.

 

Major Deegan Expressway (southbound) between Exit 3 and Entrance ramp south of East 138 Street: Right-lane traffic will become an exit only lane 24/7 at Exit 3. An additional lane will be closed Friday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Saturday and Sunday from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m., and Sunday night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning through March 3, 2025 to facilitate East 138th Street Bridge replacement. The southbound exit ramp to the 138th Street bridge will be closed Friday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Saturday from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. next morning, and Sunday from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. next morning to facilitate water main connections.

 

Major Deegan Expressway (southbound) in the vicinity of West Fordham Road: Right-lane traffic will be closed on the southbound in the vicinity of the entrance ramp from West Fordham Road from Friday 10 p.m. to Monday 5 a.m. through Jan. 31, to facilitate electric fault repairs.

 

Walton Avenue between East 175th Street and Henwood Place: This street will be closed Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Feb. 20 to facilitate crane operation.

 

Walton Avenue between Henwood Place and East 176th Street: This street will be closed Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Feb. 20 for associated closure.

 

Dash Place between Bend and West 242nd Street: This street will be fully closed Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through April 14 for an NB project/concrete pumping and boom operations.

 

Villa Avenue between East 204th Street and Bedford Park Boulevard: This street will be closed Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 20 to facilitate crane operation.

 

Grand Concourse between Bedford Boulevard and East 204th Street: This street will be closed Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Feb. 12 to facilitate crane operation.

 

New York Hoist LLC Road Closure Notice

New York Hoist LLC is advising residents of some road closures. See attached flier below for more details.

 

New York Hoist LLC advises of some road closures.
Flier courtesy of Bronx Community Board 7 / New York Hoist LLC
As reported, there are also some changes to traffic flows on Throggs Neck Bridge, while deck replacement work is being carried out, through fall of 2024.

 

CHANGES TO TRAFFIC flow on Major Deegan Expressway 
Image courtesy of DOT

In addition, NYSDOT officials said there will be some changes to traffic flow on the Major Deegan Expressway (MDE). The department advises motorists of long-term, right travel lane closures on the southbound MDE (I-87) in the vicinity of Exit 3 (East 138th Street/Madison Avenue Bridge) and on northbound MDE in the vicinity of Exit 3 (Grand Concourse/East 138th Street) in the Bronx through approximately fall of 2024.

 

Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be in place to alert motorists of these closures. Motorists are also advised that inclement weather could cause the start of these closures to be rescheduled. The closures are needed to facilitate work on NYSDOT’s $47 million project to replace the 80-year-old bridge carrying East 138th Street over the MDE.

 

CHANGES TO TRAFFIC flow on Major Deegan Expressway 
Image courtesy of DOT

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

 

NYSDOT further advises motorists of changes in traffic patterns on the southbound and northbound MDE (I-87) between Exit 5 (East 161st Street/Macombs Dam Bridge) and Exit 7 (Cross Bronx Expressway/New Haven/Trenton) in The Bronx. DOT officials said these changes in traffic patterns and long-term closure are needed to facilitate work on NYSDOT’s $119 million MDE rehabilitation project, which is reconstructing the MDE in both directions between Exit 5 and Exit 7.

 

Southbound: All travel lanes will be shifted to the left of the work zone, on through approximately the end of 2022. (We await further updates from NYSDOT on this project).

 

REROUTED TRAFFIC GUIDE on the Major Deegan Expressway between Exit 5 and Exit 7.
Source: New York State Department of Transportation

Northbound: All travel lanes will provide access to northbound and southbound I-95 and northbound I-87. The right northbound travel lane will be shifted to Sedgwick Avenue, which will provide access to the I-95, local streets, and I-87 via local streets. This change in traffic pattern will take place through approximately the end of 2022.

 

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.  Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

 

NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has begun Better Buses transit and safety improvements on University Avenue from Tremont Avenue to Kingsbridge Road in The Bronx. According to DOT, this work will improve pedestrian safety, improve bike safety and increase bus speeds. See attached flier below for more information. (We await an update on the expected end date from DOT). 

 

This fall, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin Better Buses transit and safety improvements on University Avenue from Tremont Avenue to Kingsbridge Road in The Bronx. According to DOT, this work will improve pedestrian safety, improve bike safety and increase bus speeds.
Flier courtesy of DOT

As reported, and as a reminder, since Aug. 1, 2022, tickets are being issued to drivers who breach the 25 mph citywide speed limit by exceeding the posted speed limits by more than 10 mph. Speed cameras are now in operation 24/7/365.

 

 

NYC Department of Design & Construction (DDC) is advising the public of a replacement and distribution of water mains and rehabilitation of sewers project taking place in Norwood and Woodlawn Heights during the 1st quarter of 2023. See attached notices below for more information.

 

REPLACEMENT & DISTRIBUTION OF Water Mains, and Rehabilitation of Sewers project in Norwood and Woodlawn Heights during the 1st quarter of 2023. 
Flier courtesy of NYC Department of Design & Construction (DDC)

 

 

REPLACEMENT & DISTRIBUTION OF Water Mains, and Rehabilitation of Sewers project in Norwood and Woodlawn Heights during the 1st quarter of 2023. 
Flier courtesy of NYC Department of Design & Construction

 

NYC Department of Design & Construction provided the following weekly update on the Bainbridge Avenue construction project through Jan. 27, 2023. 

WEEKLY CONSTRUCTION BULLETIN Jan. 23 to Jan. 27, 2023 for Bainbridge Avenue Project
Source: NYC Department of Design and Construction

NYC Department of Environmental Protection provided the following reconstruction newsletter for the Jerome Park Reservoir and Aqueduct Rehabilitation project which is ongoing through December 2026.

 

NYC Department of Environmental Protection provided the following reconstruction newsletter for the Jerome Park Reservoir and Aqueduct Rehabilitation project which is ongoing through December 2026. 
Source: NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

In addition, DDC also announced a 24-hour, temporary, no-parking rule on the east side of Jerome Avenue, between Shandler Road and East 233rd Street, starting Friday, Oct. 14.

 

NYC Department of Design & Construction (DDC) announced a 24-hour, temporary, no-parking rule on the east side of Jerome Avenue, between Shandler Road and East 233rd Street, starting Friday, Oct. 14, 2022.
Flier courtesy of DDC

Additionally, DDC has advised that there will be no parking (24/7) on a temporary basis on the east curb of Phelan Place, effective Oct. 5. See below flier for more information. (We are checking with DDC if this is still in effect.)

 

NYC DEPARTMENT OF Design & Construction announced no parking on east curb of Phelan Place starting Oct. 5, 2022, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Flier courtesy of NYC Department of Design & Construction

NYC Department of Design & Construction has also announced no parking on Phelan Place, between Billingsley Terrace and West Burnside Avenue, starting Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2023, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

 

NYC DEPARTMENT OF Design & Construction announced no parking on Phelan Place, between Billingsley Terrace and West Burnside Avenue, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2023, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Flier courtesy of NYC Department of Design & Construction

Meanwhile, the MTA has advised of the following repairs on the D line that are ongoing from July 2022 through 2023.

 

The MTA has advised of the following repairs on the D line happening from July 2022 through 2023.
Source: MTA

Planned Service Change to the D Train in Late January (Weekends)

Due to structural maintenance work, there will be no D service between 161st Street-Yankee Stadium and Norwoord-205th Street station during the following weekends from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM:

  • Friday, January 20, 2023 through Monday, January 23, 2023
  • Friday, January 27, 2023 through Monday, January 30, 2023

 

Travel Alternatives

MTA officials advise for service between 161st Street-Yankee Stadium and Bedford Park Blvd, use nearby stations serving the 4 train along Jerome Ave.

 

For Norwood-205th Street, take a shuttle bus:

  • Transfer between D and 4 trains at 161st Street-Yankee Stadium
  • Transfer between 4 trains and shuttle buses at Mosholu Parkway

 

Please also refer to our separate story on the impact of MTA works to the D line service in February.

 

New Routing for Eastbound Bx12 SBS and Overnight Bx12 at Pelham Bay Park Station

Beginning January 8, 2023, a long-planned permanent routing change for the Bx12 SBS/Bx12 local bus service will take effect:

 

Eastbound Bx12 SBS buses will operate via Westchester Ave through an eastbound bus only lane to a new stop at Westchester Ave/Bruckner Blvd. Overnight Bx12 Local buses that terminate at the Mall at Bay Plaza will use this routing and stop only when the Bx12 SBS is not in regular service. The new stop and rerouting are expected to reduce total Bx12 SBS end-to-end travel time by 5% as well as improve reliability for all Bx12 SBS riders. Westbound service will not be affected.

 

As part of this routing change, the eastbound stop at Amendola Pl/Westchester Ave will be removed for Bx12 SBS service but will remain for Bx12 Local service.

 

Please see the map of the new routing for reference.

New Routing for Eastbound Bx12 SBS and Overnight Bx12 at Pelham Bay Park Station
Flier courtesy of the MTA

Temporary Suspension of the Northern section of the D line Weekend Service

There appears to be a temporary suspension of the northern section of the D line weekend service from 205th Street in Norwood to 161st Street starting on Fridays at 11.30 p.m. through Mondays at 5 a.m. See attached notice below for more information. A free shuttle bus transports passengers to Mosholu Parkway subway station which serves the 4 line. We have asked the MTA for an estimated end date. We have reached out again but have not, as yet, received an update.

 

MTA NOTICE REGARDING D subway line weekend service at 205th Street in Norwood.
Photo by Síle Moloney

From August 2022, NYC DOT will make ongoing safety improvements on White Plains Road from East 226th Street to East 241st Street in Wakefield. The work adds protected bike lanes, shortens pedestrian crossings, improves accessibility, and upgrades corridor markings. See attached flier below for more information. We await an update from DOT as to whether this is still in effect or not. 

 

THROUGHOUT AUGUST, NYC DOT will begin safety improvements on White Plains Road from East 226th Street to East 241st Street in The Bronx. This work will add protected Bike lanes, shorten pedestrian crossings, improve accessibility, and upgrade corridor markings.
Flier courtesy of NYC DOT

 

Alternate Side Parking

Alternate Side Parking rules are suspended Jan. 21-22, 2023.

ALTERNATE Side Parking rules suspended Jan. 21-22, 2023
Source: NYC DOT

 

Curbside Parking 

There will be restrictions to curbside parking and sidewalk access for certain community districts from Oct. 4, 2021 until Summer 2023, at certain times. See attached flyer below for more details.

 

COMMUNITY ADVISORY ON Curbside Parking & Sidewalk Access Restrictions
Flyer courtesy of Bronx Community Board 7 / NYC DDC

Bronx Bus Redesign 

As reported, the Bronx bus redesign plan was initiated in 2019 by New York City Transit (an agency of the MTA) and the final plan was made available here: https://new.mta.info/bronxbusredesign, while the final plan addendum (published in November 2021) was made available here. Comments from the public were submitted here: https://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/app/comments_bronxbus. On December 15, 2021, the MTA Board of Directors adopted the Bronx Local Bus Network Redesign Final Plan. The staff summary and Board proceedings are available for review by clicking on the hyperlinks provided. Earlier this year, preparations got underway to roll out the borough-wide plan, as reported. On Tuesday, June 21, the MTA formally announced the go-live date of June 26 during a press conference held at Fordham Plaza.

 

BRONX BUS NETWORK
Source: MTA

Dirt Bikes & Scooters 

NYPD reminds residents that dirt bikes are illegal. See attached flyer below. Also, if your scooter has an electric or gas motor with no vehicle ID number, then it is illegal and cannot be driven or sold. Violators could face fines and vehicles will be seized by police.

 

A REMINDER THAT dirt bikes are illegal
Flyer courtesy of the NYPD

Motorized scooters in New York City are illegal. See below flier for more information. See also a story we published in 2022 on motorized scooters.

 

A FLIER REMINDING residents that motorized scooters are illegal in New York City
Flier courtesy of NYC Department of Transportation

Are you interested in being funded to create a public street mural? NYC’s Department of Transportation Art Program has an open call for their 2023 Asphalt Art Activation. NYC DOT Art will provide artists up to $20,000, depending on the scale of the project site, for pedestrianized spaces. Visit http://nyc.gov/…/pdf/dotart-asphalt-art-application.pdf for an application.

DOT officials say getting involved with NYC DOT Art’s program contributes to increased access to arts for all New Yorkers and to the civic well being of the City’s communities.

NYC’s DEPARTMENT OF Transportation Art Program has an open call for their 2023 Asphalt Art Activation. NYC DOT Art will provide artists up to $20,000, depending on the scale of the project site, for pedestrianized spaces. Visit http://nyc.gov/…/pdf/dotart-asphalt-art-application.pdf for an application.
Photo courtesy of NYC DOT

For real-time travel information, motorists should check New York State’s official traffic and travel information source, 511NY, before traveling. Call 5-1-1, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app on iTunes or Google Play.  The free service allows users to check road conditions, view traffic cameras and link to air and transit information.  The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.

 

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.  Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

 

For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

 

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.

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