Governor Kathy Hochul at this time introduced the completion of the $739 million Kew Gardens Interchange mission in Queens, marking the conclusion of a multi-phase enterprise by New York State to revamp this closely traveled commuter hall. The transformative mission addressed plenty of key challenges stemming from the structural and operational deficiencies of the outdated infrastructure, showcasing how a extra strategic and visionary design offers options and maximizes the advantages for the general public.
“The transformation of this very important interchange close to one in all New York’s main airports is the most recent accomplishment in our efforts to modernize the state’s transportation community,” Governor Hochul mentioned. “The entire overhaul of Kew Gardens Interchange will present a safer, much less congested community of roads – bettering the journey expertise for almost 600,000 day by day motorists, enhancing high quality of life, and boosting the regional economic system for many years to come back.”
The revamped Kew Gardens Interchange permits for sooner journey occasions, safer merging and exiting, and extra dependable connections for the tons of of 1000’s of commuters, vacationers and native companies who use it day by day to achieve the John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport and different key locations all through the area. It options 22 new bridges, three rehabilitated bridges, wider journey lanes, new lane configurations, up to date signage, upgraded stormwater drainage, and a brand new devoted shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.
These enhancements and others collectively present enhanced security and resilience for all customers in Queens and the encircling communities.
The Kew Gardens Interchange is the complicated intersection of the Grand Central Parkway, the Van Wyck Expressway, the Jackie Robinson Parkway and Union Turnpike, serving almost 600,000 automobiles day by day. Previously, main deficiencies all through the interchange contributed to congestion and better than common accident charges. After cautious evaluation, the New York State Division of Transportation concluded {that a} daring and sophisticated enterprise was essential to adequately deal with these challenges and invested a mixed $739 million to make plenty of structural and operational enhancements by 4 building contracts on the interchange.
Part IV, the ultimate part which value $366 million and was funded by the State, tied collectively enhancements already made throughout the first three phases of building. It put in 5 new bridges and changed six present bridges; widened journey lanes and shoulders; improved on and off ramps to reinforce visitors stream; modified lane configurations for safer merging and exiting; improved sight distance; up to date signage; and made lighting, drainage and landscaping enhancements.
In October 2021, Governor Hochul announced vital milestones as a part of Part IV, together with the completion of recent ramps to offer simpler connections for motorists getting into the westbound Grand Central Parkway from the westbound Union Turnpike, and for these heading from the eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway at Exit 8W to the Grand Central Parkway. On the time, Part IV additionally elevated the merge size from the eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway to westbound Grand Central Parkway – which allowed for the elimination of a cease signal on the finish of the ramp – and upgraded the drainage methods.
Since that point, Part IV proceeded to get rid of a cease signal from Jackie Robinson Parkway to the eastbound Grand Central Parkway. The mission created an acceleration lane on the ramp from westbound Union Turnpike to westbound Grand Central Parkway and in addition eradicated a cease signal the place these two roads meet.
The mission improved at-grade ramp connections between the Grand Central Parkway, Union Turnpike, Jackie Robinson Parkway, southbound Van Wyck Expressway and northbound Van Wyck Expressway roadways with standard-width shoulders, to permit for safer operations. Reconstruction of the one lane ramp from southbound Van Wyck Expressway to westbound Jackie Robinson Parkway created a standard-width lane and standard-width shoulder for safer operations.
The mission additional reconstructed the storm water drainage system to mitigate the present roadway flooding, particularly alongside Grand Central Parkway, Union Turnpike and Jackie Robinson Parkway.
Moreover, the mission addressed pedestrian security, making a devoted shared use path that gives entry to the Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike subway station and consists of bicycle entry to and from present bicycle paths. The devoted path eliminates a pedestrian route which beforehand pressured pedestrians to make the most of three crossings with substantial high-speed vehicular visitors.
New York State Division of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez mentioned, “Underneath Governor Hochul’s management, New York State continues to be a nationwide chief, advancing essential infrastructure, showcasing how these massive investments in transportation assist to gas our economic system and uplift communities with dependable connectivity. 1000’s of commuters, vacationers and truck drivers cross by the Kew Gardens interchange every day to achieve locations all through New York Metropolis and Lengthy Island. With this multi-phase mission lastly accomplished, we are able to guarantee a safer, extra environment friendly stream of individuals and items at this very important hall.”
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. mentioned, “The completion of this multi-stage mission brings model new journey infrastructure to this very important roadway. The Kew Gardens Interchange will enable commuters higher entry to the numerous factors of curiosity round Queens together with JFK Airport. By making these roads simpler and safer to journey — for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike — it would profit commuters who use these roads daily in addition to these touring by our metropolis.”
Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi mentioned, “Sturdy, up-to-date infrastructure is the spine of our communities. This can join folks from throughout Queens, and in addition make commutes a lot safer for 1000’s of drivers, bikers, and walkers. I communicate for all of our neighbors when extending our gratitude to State DOT and Governor Hochul for having the imaginative and prescient and the wherewithal to successfully perform this large enterprise.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. mentioned, “The profitable overhaul of the Kew Gardens Interchange, positioned simply exterior Queens Borough Corridor, is a big achievement and a serious milestone in our continued push to modernize Queens’ transportation infrastructure. Drivers and commuters who journey by the interchange to achieve my workplace and different locations throughout Queens will now expertise safer and smoother rides whereas decreasing congestion and chopping commute occasions. The Kew Gardens Interchange mission was a vitally necessary enterprise, and I thank Governor Hochul and state Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez for seeing it by to completion.”
Previously, the finished Part I mission included widening a portion of the Van Wyck Expressway and rehabilitating the exit ramp from the northbound Van Wyck to westbound Queens Boulevard, 4 bridges over the Van Wyck, the Van Wyck Bridge over Essential Road, and the Queens Boulevard Bridge over Essential Road. This mission additionally included developing auxiliary lanes on each the northbound and southbound Van Wyck between the Grand Central Parkway and Essential Road and offered a devoted exit lane southbound to Hillside Avenue.
The finished Part II mission constructed a brand new, wider northbound Van Wyck Expressway viaduct, which carries three journey lanes now that Part III is accomplished. As well as, it changed the one-lane entrance ramp connecting the Jackie Robinson Parkway and Union Turnpike with the northbound Van Wyck Expressway with a brand new two-lane ramp. A brand new deck was put in on the eastbound Union Turnpike bridge over the Grand Central Parkway connector ramps, and a brand new deck and metal girders had been put in on the bridge the place Union Turnpike and the Jackie Robinson Parkway merge.
The finished Part III changed the present deteriorated two-lane Van Wyck Expressway southbound viaduct over the Grand Central Parkway with a steady three-lane viaduct and constructed new exits to the westbound Union Turnpike and the Jackie Robinson Parkway. The three lanes from the Van Wyck Expressway additionally now merge with two lanes from the Grand Central Parkway over an extended distance.
Observe New York State DOT on Twitter: @NYSDOT and NYSDOT New York City (@NYSDOT_NYC) | Twitter. Discover NYSDOT on Fb at facebook.com/NYSDOT.
