Yesterday’s storm did more than just knock trees down and rip signs up, it totally submerged the Belt Parkway. New York City shut down the highway near Bay 8th Street because of truly epic flooding you see in this video. Thanks to David Z. for sending this over.
Archive for the tag 'belt parkway'
A parting glance. (Photo courtesy of nolastname)
Well, everyone, by now you must have heard all about the Belt Parkway roadwork. The traffic has been horrendous around here, because of all the construction.
It’s driving me batty. The other day, I felt like flinging myself into the oncoming traffic, but then I figured it wasn’t nice to get others involved in my Heavenly plan. So, I abandoned the plan and plotted my big escape. Here I am about to wander into the Flatbush woods for good.
Goodbye, traffic. Goodbye, all.
On Monday we gave you the schedules for lane closures along three local sections of the Belt Parkway undergoing construction. At the time, pothole repairs were just announced and it was suggested that closures related to the Seven Bridges Project would be suspended. That information was incorrect and we have updated the original post to reflect that.
In sum, ALL THREE PROJECTS ARE BEING DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY, AND ALL CLOSURES ARE IN EFFECT!
Just to make things clearer and gathered in one place, here again are the schedules for the lane closures. Safe driving!
UPDATE #2: (3/10/10 2:31 p.m.) We just got word from the Community Outreach Liason for the Seven Bridges Project that our assumption was incorrect: ALL THREE PROJECTS ARE RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY. That means THERE ARE THREE SECTIONS OF THE BELT PARKWAY EXPERIENCING LANE CLOSURES. The schedule for lane closures on all three projects are posted below.
UPDATE: (3/8/10 1:00 p.m.) Due to emergency pothole repairs between Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mill Basin Bridge, work on the Seven Bridges Project has been suspended. In addition to the two projects, emergency pothole repairs are being done between Pennsylvania Avenue and the Mill Basin Bridge, spurring additional lane closures. We are in the process of confirming which lane closures are currently in effect, but to the best of our knowledge b Beginning tonight a third set of lane closures (also below) are being put in place. , while the Seven Bridges lane closures are temporarily terminated. The pothole repairs are expected to continue until March 22.
Original post
More precise lane closure information was released last week regarding the East 8th Street/Guider Avenue Bridge reconstruction. Previously, we heard somewhat conflicting reports of when and how lanes would be closed, but the following information comes from the Department of Transportation (via Community Board 15). These closures, of course, are occurring simultaneously to closures related to the Seven Bridges Project. I’ve included the schedule for those closures as well, so that you can find the information all in one place.
As expected, the Guider Avenue/East 8th Street Bridge reconstruction began yesterday. The overpass has been closed, and we heard some reports during yesterday evening’s rush hour of total madness in the area. The Belt Parkway was standstill, and surrounding streets – including Neptune Avenue and Avenue Z – were packed with confused drivers trying to find alternate routes.
As a reminder, in order to access the Belt Parkway West from Coney Island Avenue and Guider Avenue, continue north on Coney Island Avenue until Avenue Z. Make a left onto Hubbard Street, where they’ve just installed a stop light to deal with the additional traffic. Then make a right onto the Shore Parkway service road.
If possible avoid the area entirely during rush hour in either direction. If people can suggest an alternate route to efficiently bypass the Belt Parkway between Ocean Parkway and Knapp Street, Sheepshead Bites’ readers will have a leg up on other commuters.
Related stories:
Video: Scavo Says “Beware” Belt Parkway Projects
East 8th St. Bridge Reconstruction Begins Next Week
15-Minute Closures to Haunt Belt Parkway
Residents, get ready for another Belt Parkway boondoggle!
During Manhattan Beach Community Group’s January 27 meeting, Community Board 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo explained the three projects occurring simultaneously in our area. We’ve already written about these projects, and nothing has changed, but it’s worth watching the video to see Scavo’s frustration with the plans as well MBCG member’s shocked reactions. The projects (and links to our coverage) are:
- The “Seven Bridge” project (and here)
- The replacement of guardrails, medians, and drainage systems from Coney Island Avenue to Knapp Street
- The East 8th Street/Guider Avenue Bridge reconstruction (and here)
The reconstruction of the East 8th Street Bridge (a.k.a. Guider Avenue Bridge) over the Belt Parkway will kick off “on or about February 17.” As we noted last week, the Belt Parkway will see closures, including periodic 15-minute open-close intervals, as the contractor sees fit. The document below, circulated by the DOT and sent to us by Community Board 15, says the new bridge will have a 75-year life and will be completed May 2011.
The Guider Avenue Bridge – officially known as the East 8th Street Bridge – over the Belt Parkway near Coney Island Avenue is slated for full reconstruction. The project, expected to last between 12 and 18 months, gives the contractor full discretion over Belt Parkway closures. For portions of the work the Belt Parkway will be shut down for 15 minutes at a time, holding traffic in place while large components are moved.
In preparation for the work, most of the area has already been fenced off, some equipment is in place and detour signs are up and waiting. The bridge contractor is waiting for his permits. Once received, construction will commence immediately and the bridge will be closed. The huge structural components of the bridge will be installed at night and closures will be implemented as necessary. Drivers going northbound on Coney Island Avenue (Or westbound from Guider Avenue) will lose their easy access to the Belt Parkway West. They’ll have to detour by heading to Avenue Z, making a left and another left at Hubbard Street or Ocean Parkway.
It seems this project wasn’t included in the list of seven bridges the DOT is replacing, and the reconstruction also comes alongside drainage and guardrail renovations along the entire Belt Parkway from Coney Island Avenue to Knapp Street. With the three simultaneous projects, traffic on the Belt Parkway is expected to be a nightmare for more than a year.
Two women were thrown from a car after the driver, a 29-year-old Gravesend resident, slammed into a guardrail early Sunday morning. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
Oleg Pantchenko was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while impaired, criminally negligent manslaughter, and first-degree manslaughter after the accident. A third woman is in stable condition at Lutheran Medical Center.
According to the New York Times:
The car, a 1996 Infiniti, hit a guardrail while traveling east, veered across several lanes of eastbound traffic and hit other cars, the police said. It then swerved back across all the eastbound lanes and struck a median. The two women, who were in the back of the Infiniti, were ejected. The crash occurred on the parkway near 80th Street at about 3:30 a.m.
Patchenko’s blood alcohol level was 0.054 percent, just above the 0.05 percent threshold for driving while impaired — a lesser charge than driving while intoxicated.
