THE FUTURE

These computer-generated images show the four designs for the new Kosciuszko Bridge over the Newtown Creek being considered by the New York State Department of Transportation. Under the plans, the DOT will demolish the current 70-year-old structure and replace it with two parallel spans providing a total of nine lanes of traffic as well as standard traffic lanes and shoulders. The choices for the new bridges—which the public will have the chance to comment on at an open house next Thursday, Feb. 18 in Middle Village—are (clockwise, beginning at top left) a box girder, a deck arch, a cable-stayed span or a through arch bridge. (photos courtesy of New York State DOT) Four possible designs for the new Kosciuszko Bridge over the Newtown Creek will be on display for residents to review and critique during an open house scheduled by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to take place next Thursday, Feb. 18, in Middle Village.

As announced, the session will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. next Thursday at Christ the King Regional High School, located at 68-02 MetropolitanAve. Official presentations on the design plans will be offered by DOT representatives at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Those who cannot make it to next Thursday’s open house can view the Kosciuszko Bridge plans during an open house in Greenpoint on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium of St. Cecilia’s Church, located at 84 Herbert St.

Members of the DOT will walk visitors through the plans for the creation of the new bridge that will replace the 70-year-old span which currently carries the Brooklyn- Queens Expressway over the Newtown Creek. Through graphics and 3-D animations, attendees will be able to see each of the four bridge designs being considered by the DOT, including a standard box girder or deck arch (similar to standard highway overpasses), through arch and cable-stayed.

Seven years ago, the DOT launched a public effort to gather community input on the replacement of the Kosciuszko Bridge, which was deemed functionally obsolete. The span was originally opened in 1939 as a link between Meeker Avenue in Greenpoint and Laurel Hill Boulevard in West Maspeth.

The bridge was incorporated into the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway during its construction in the 1960s. More than 160,000 vehicles pass over the span each day, causing wear and tear that have required numerous maintenance projects that have proven costly to the state.

On top of its structural problems, drivers who use the Kosciuszko Bridge regularly can attest to frequent accidents and traffic jams resulting largely from the span’s configuration. The width of travel lanes do not meet federal highway standards and the lack of shoulder lanes give those with car trouble nowhere to pull aside and let traffic through.

Following an extensive review of a number of plans, last March, the DOT agreed to replace the six-lane Kosciuszko Bridge with two parallel spans: one five lanes heading eastbound into Queens, the other four lanes heading westbound into Brooklyn.

Under the plan established by the agency, the eastbound bridge will be built first. When it is completed, the original Kosciuszko Bridge will be closed and demolished, while all BQE traffic will temporarily be shifted onto the new span. Once demolition is completed, the DOT will then build the westbound bridge.

Both crossings will be at a lower grade than the current structure and will meet all federal interstate highway standards for lane width and shoulder lanes. A walkway and bike lane will also be built on the westbound side to allow pedestrians and cyclists access across the Newtown Creek.

The project also includes the development of new park land on both sides of the creek, including waterfront access.

Comments received by the DOT from attendees at the Middle Village and Greenpoint open houses will be received and used by the agency in order to select a bridge design. According to its website, construction of the new Kosciuszko Bridge is not scheduled to begin before 2012.

Sign language interpreters and assistive listening devices will be made available upon advanced request.

For more information to request assistance for the listening session, call Helen Neuhaus & Associates at 1-212-532-4175 or send an e-mail to hna@hna1977.com.