Port Authority of New York and New Jersey issued the following announcement on Oct. 7.
Construction to begin on Staten Island connection in 60 days
The Port Authority and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced that construction will start this fall on a new path on city-owned property that will provide safe, convenient travel for users accessing the Goethals Bridge shared use path in Staten Island.
The Port Authority and the DOT have worked collaboratively to develop a plan to provide a safe, easy connection that will link the Goethals Bridge shared use path to Staten Island’s residential streets. The new connection will allow bicyclists leaving the bridge path to travel on a clearly designated shared path separated from vehicle traffic. A planned second phase will extend the existing sidewalk on the north side of Goethals Road North to provide an easy, accessible pedestrian route to the local neighborhood.
Design work for the new path – which will parallel Goethals Road North, Gulf Avenue and Forest Avenue – has been completed. DOT and the Port Authority are working together to obtain the required permits for the project. The work will be shared between both agencies in a joint effort to expedite the construction of this new shared route. Construction will begin this fall. Completion of the new path is weather dependent. Once the path is completed, the Goethals Bridge shared use path will open.
To view a presentation on the DOT’s plans, click here.
The Goethals Bridge shared use path was built as part of the $1.5 billion project to build a new bridge, which was opened in May 2018. The original Goethals Bridge did not have a shared use path.
“We’ve taken on the enormous challenge of reducing our environmental footprint on the region, which involves promoting multiple modes of transportation, and that’s why we directed staff to find ways to get the Goethals shared use path open as quickly as possible,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We have an equally strong commitment to safety and want to make sure that all of those who use our facilities – cars, pedestrians and bicyclists – can do so safely.”
“There is great anticipation on both sides of the Hudson to get the Goethals Bridge shared use path open,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “We thank DOT for working with us on a comprehensive plan that will soon provide a dedicated, safe and environmentally sound way for pedestrians and bicyclists to access the Goethals path and open it for travel between the two states.”
“To make cycling safer, the de Blasio Administration has committed to a growing and interconnected network of bike routes, which now includes the work we will start this fall on Staten Island near the Goethals Bridge,” said New York City DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “With historically limited options for riding a bicycle or walking between New York and New Jersey, cyclists and pedestrians alike will expand their horizons with this improved access to the new Goethals Bridge shared path ---never mind catch fantastic views of both states. We are grateful to Rick Cotton, Kevin O’ Toole and the Port Authority for their partnership, as well as their forward thinking in the design of this new bridge.”
Original source can be found here.
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