Bridging the States: Bicycle Improvements between New York and New - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Bridging the States:

Bicycle Improvements between New York and New Jersey Presentation to the New York Cycle Club

October 10, 2017

2

Port Authority Bridges

3

The New York Times, May 29, 1940 Port Authority Annual Report, 1932

Infrastructure with History

4

Physical Conditions

Impediments to access at the Bayonne and George Washington Bridge

Stairs at both bridges prohibit wheelchair use and are difficult for cyclists No access at the Goethals Bridge or the Outerbridge Crossing Inadequate switchback ramp at the GWB

5

Pedestrian and Cyclist Use

• Intercept surveys at the George Washington Bridge
• Pedestrians and cyclists counts

6

Improvements as Part of Capital Projects

7

Goethals Bridge Replacement Project

• First new Port Authority bridge since 1931
• Includes a 10-foot path for use by

pedestrians and cyclists

• Anticipated completion: Late 2018

8

Bayonne Bridge Navigational Clearance Project

• “Raise the Roadway” – construction of a

whole new roadway through the arch

• Includes a 12-foot path for use by

pedestrians and cyclists

• Anticipated completion: mid-2019

9

Restoring the George Rehabilitation Program

$1.9 billion State of Good Repair program

• Suspender rope replacement
• Rehabilitation of steel and removal of lead paint
• Replacement and rehabilitation of multiple ramps and overpasses
• Pavement rehabilitation
• Improved access, increased capacity and dedicated paths for pedestrians and

cyclists

10

Improving Access and Removing Conflicts

N J B I C Y C L E AC C E S S N J P E D E S T R I AN AC C E S S N Y B I C Y C L E AC C E S S

NEW JERSEY NEW YORK

N Y P E D E S T R I AN AC C E S S

C Y C L I S T S O N T H E N O R T H PAT H P E D E S T R I AN S O N T H E S O U T H PAT H T O W E R AR E A I M P R O V E M E N T S

11

Dedicated Paths for Different User Groups

Existing: Pedestrians and cyclists share the existing south sidewalk Future: Providing cyclists and pedestrians with their own dedicated paths will improve the experience for both user groups

Tower Area Improvements

12

Constructing new “wedges” at the towers will allow cyclists to ride across the entire bridge without dismounting.

13

Cyclist Entrance – NJ

Existing

• No crosswalk
• No entry area buffered from the street
• Stair-only access to bridge

Future

• New crosswalk (across Hudson Terrace)
• Spacious entry plaza
• Viewing platform
• Ramp access to the bridge

14

Cyclists Access Ramp – NJ

15

Cyclist Entrance – NY

Existing

• No crosswalk
• No entry area buffered from the

street

• Stair access only

Future

• Spacious entry plaza
• Viewing platform
• Ramp access to the bridge

16

Bicycle Access – NY

17

Pedestrian Entrance – NJ

Existing

• No crosswalk
• No entry area with buffer from the street
• Narrow sidewalk with vehicular gate

impediment Future

• New crosswalk (across Hudson Terrace)
• Spacious entry plaza and sidewalk to the

bridge

18

Pedestrian Entrance – NY

Existing

• No entry area buffered from the

street

• Ramp access is narrow with

constricted turns Future

• Spacious entry plaza
• Viewing platform
• Choice between access ramp

and stairs

19

Pedestrian Access – NY

20

Entrance Plazas

Entrances have limited opportunities for gathering and place- making (existing South Sidewalk) Future entrance plazas will provide bridge orientation, wayfinding, and meet-up areas for enhanced user experience

21

Interim Measures

George Washington Bridge – maintaining safety and access The 3 E’s

• Engineering
• Education
• Enforcement

22

Construction Staging and Mitigation

Bayonne Bridge Shuttle provided trips to more than 4,500 passengers with almost 1,200 bikes on summer weekends between 2013 and 2015 GWB:

• Reconstruct the north side

first – maintains access without stairs

• Move operation to the

improved side and then work

• n the south

23

Bridging the States

Three major projects improving access for pedestrians and cyclists between New Jersey and New York

Visit us at: www.panynj.gov

Thank You

Questions?

www.linkedin.com/company/port-authority-of-ny-&-nj www.instagram.com/panynj Follow @panynj www.facebook.com/panynj