Cuomo Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Work In Tarrytown Set To Begin

TARRYTOWN, NY — A new bridge giving bicyclists and pedestrians easier access to the Mario Cuomo Bridge bike/walking path is getting underway.

The NYS Thruway Authority and the NYS Department of Transportation announced that on-site assembly of a new 270-foot-long pedestrian/bicycle bridge is scheduled to begin on Route 9 (S. Broadway) in Tarrytown on Wednesday, May 29. The work will take place during the day and will require lane reductions on Route 9, near Route 119 and Paulding Ave. The project is expected to take about six weeks to complete and will result in the installation of the new bridge over the Thruway (I-87/I-287).

"While there will be some short-term inconvenience, we hope you'll agree that an innovative infrastructure project that encourages tourism, safe and sustainable travel, and interconnectedness between villages on both sides of the Hudson River is more than worth the temporary disruptions," District 12 Legislator David Imamura said.

The new bridge is part of a $13.9 million two-year multimodal project that began in the spring of 2023 and is funded by both the Thruway Authority and the Department of Transportation.

More than 650,000 people have visited the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge's 3.6-mile path since it opened in 2020. However, the side path currently ends at a high-volume jug handle where Route 9 meets Route 119.

Upon completion of the project at the end of this year, the side path will extend about one mile south from the path’s Westchester Landing at 333 South Broadway in Tarrytown to Lyndhurst Mansion, where pedestrians and cyclists will be able to connect with the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.

Later this summer and in the early fall, crews will complete the remaining activities, which include restriping the roadway and adding a second left turn lane from S. Broadway to the southbound Thruway entrance ramp, installing a traffic signal on Route 9 at Paulding Ave. to make it safer to turn left, relocating Tarrytown’s water main onto the Route 9 vehicle bridge, repairing and resurfacing Route 9 from Route 119 to just south of Gracemere Lane, and landscaping at the end of Paulding Ave.

When Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the start of the project in March of 2023, she noted that expanding pedestrian and cycling access along the Hudson River is essential to connecting communities for recreation and commuting.

"This partnership between the Thruway Authority and the Department of Transportation will provide fantastic new services to residents of Tarrytown and the visitors of the Hudson Valley, creating safer, more connected communities," Hochul said at the time.

Contractor crews will use part of Route 9 to build the bridge in segments. The bridge will be 270 feet long, 16 feet wide and 15 feet tall and will be made up of 12 truss sections that range in length from 38 feet to 52 feet, and will weigh up to 26,000 pounds.

Starting the evening of Tuesday, May 28, crews will begin preparations for assembly, by staging equipment and materials, along with setting up the new temporary traffic pattern from just north of Route 119, past Paulding Ave.

Starting Wednesday, May 29, four lanes will be open — two in each direction. Pedestrian access across the bridge will be on the east side, with crossing at the Route 119/Route 9 intersection and at the Tarrytown Honda/Sleepy Hollow Conference center intersection. There will be no pedestrian crossing at Paulding Ave.

Starting June 3, Route 9 will have one lane available in each direction, near Route 119 and Paulding Ave., between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. The inner left turn lane on Route 119 will be closed, and there will be pedestrian detours in place. However, it would be advisable to avoid the area during these work hours, if possible.

Outside of the bridge assembly hours, between 3 p.m. and 9:30 a.m., four lanes will be available — two in each direction. Pedestrians will be able to cross Route 9 through the work zone on its east side, and should follow posted detours.

Certified flaggers will direct drivers through the work zone. The speed limit will be 25 mph and drivers should exercise caution when passing through the area, and are encouraged to give themselves extra time due to possible delays in the area. Digital message boards around the work zone will advise drivers and pedestrians about the project, while physical signs will also be installed to alert pedestrians about the upcoming detour.

Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner said last year that he was thrilled that the Thruway Authority is planning improvements along S. Broadway, which is Route 9, in the village of Tarrytown.

"I’m an avid cyclist," Feiner said. "All efforts to improve bicycling and pedestrian access to the bridge is welcome."

Gianfia Corporation, of Hawthorne, was awarded the contract following a competitive bidding process.

Drivers should follow the posted work zone speed limits and are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. According to the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.

SEE ALSO: $14M Project Over Thruway In Tarrytown To Start