Governor Cuomo Announces Major Construction Complete on East 3rd Street Bridge in Westchester County

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of major construction on the new East Third Street Bridge, which connects commercial and residential areas in the Village of Pelham and City of Mount Vernon in Westchester County. The replacement of the 91-year-old bridge is one of three state-owned bridge replacement projects underway in Westchester County under a $69.8 million contract.

"New York is leading the nation by investing in and rebuilding crucial infrastructure, including major projects like this one that are moving forward all across the state," Governor Cuomo said. "By strengthening our bridges and roadways, not only are we enhancing safety and sustainability, but we are also providing a boost to local economies that will serve New Yorkers for generations."

The new East Third Street Bridge, which replaced the former bridge built in 1927, was constructed using innovative engineering techniques to ensure it will remain operationally and structurally sound for decades. The new bridge has a clearance of 14 feet - five feet higher than the original bridge - significantly reducing the potential for flooding along this portion of the Parkway and minimizing the risk of bridge scour. The higher bridge elevation also reduces the likelihood of the bridge being struck by errant over-height vehicles.

The new bridge also features enhanced pedestrian facilities, including seven-foot sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, lighting and fencing designed to protect pedestrians and Parkway traffic. The new sidewalks, which are two feet wider than the previous ones, have been updated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Additionally, a shared-use path is being reconstructed underneath the bridge along the river on the Mount Vernon side of the bridge.

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas said, "Governor Cuomo is making smart transportation investments across New York State, including the new East Third Street Bridge. This bridge will provide safe, convenient passage to travelers for years to come, linking both pedestrians and motorists to Pelham, Mount Vernon and beyond."

Senator Jamal Bailey said, "Infrastructure improvement is vitally important, and I applaud the governor for his initiative in the speedy reconstruction and completion on the East Third Street Bridge. Ensuring that people can seamlessly travel between Mount Vernon and Pelham's commercial and residential areas is crucial for the economic health of the region. Furthermore, the new bridge provides wider sidewalks that enhances pedestrian safety, and meets the standards of the Disabilities Act. In addition to the state of the art safety features in the new bridge, the development and construction of this bridge saved time and taxpayer money."

Senator Alessandra Biaggi said, "One of the essential roles of government is providing safe, accessible infrastructure that ties communities together. The additional 5 feet of clearance will be a boon for commuters, who often report flooding issues on the Hutchinson River Parkway. With expanded sidewalks and lighting, pedestrians will enjoy a safer and more accessible means of travel throughout the Pelham and Mount-Vernon region. And it's important that the state is using construction best practices to both save money and ensure the bridge will last as long as possible."

Assembly Member Amy Paulin said, "My constituents in Pelham have patiently endured the necessary disruptions of construction, but it will all be worth it for a bridge so substantially improved from the original. I am particularly heartened to see appropriate and necessary accommodations for residents with disabilities and as well as improvements related to safety and the mitigation of flood conditions."

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, "I want to thank Governor Cuomo for this attention and dedication to the people of Westchester in the completion of the 3rd Street Bridge over the Hutchison River Parkway. This is a great day for the people of Mount Vernon and Pelham who will once again be able to travel over the Hutch in an easy and safe way."

The contract for this project uses the Design-Build delivery method, allowing for the combination of design and construction services into single contracts on vital infrastructure projects, saving time on project completion, as well as taxpayer dollars. Design-Build provides cost certainty for the state with contractors assuming the risk for project delays and cost overruns.

The bulk of construction on the new bridge is complete, though work on the pedestrian facilities will continue during the next few weeks and minor site clean-up work will be completed in the spring. Project construction began in November 2017.

The two other bridges involved in this construction contract are located on the Saw Mill River Parkway over the Saw Mill River in the town of Greenburgh. Their construction is scheduled for completion in the spring.

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