First Segment Of Kosciuszko Bridge To Open Thursday

MASPETH, QUEENS — First of the two bridges planned to replace the Kosciuszko Bridge will open to traffic in both directions April 27.

The 78-year-old Kosciuszko Bridge will be replaced by two new bridges that will accommodate traffic in opposite directions. Upon completion, the new bridge will include bike and pedestrian paths and accommodate 200,000 commuters per day.

The Queens-bound bridge, set to open on Thursday, will have three lanes in each direction until the construction of second bridge is completed.

The opening of the first bridge built in NYC since Verrazano Bridge in 1964 will be marked by light shows coordinated to music from iHeartRadio stations on the new bridge and the Empire State Building.

The light show will be the first performance of “The New York Harbor of Lights," which will illuminate crossings around the city with LED lights that can be seen from miles away. The light shows, set to be installed on seven bridges, are expected to serve as an attraction to boost the tourist industry, which has increased $9 billion since 2011 to $63 billion.

The old bridge will be demolished over the summer of 2017, which is expected move up the completion of the Brooklyn-bound section of the bridge by four years to early 2020.

"The new bridge - the first major New York City Bridge to open in more than 50 years - will bring much-needed relief to commuters and be a spectacular addition to the New York City skyline," Gov. Cuomo said.

"It is a vibrant symbol of how the State is not just talking about moving vital infrastructure projects forward, but actually getting them done and restoring New York’s tradition of excellence."

Photo by Arminnius/Wikimedia Commons/CC by 3.0