GerritsenBeach.net

The Gerritsen Inlet Bridge was built in 1940. It is a nine span structure over Gerritsen Inlet, with a clearance of 35 feet above the Mean High Water mark. It is located within the Gateway National Park Recreation area, DOT is working with the Coast Guard and the US Parks Service and NYC Parks to ensure all construction methods comply with environmental protection laws.

The new structure (pictured above) will be three spans over the Inlet, with the 35 foot clearance maintained. Like Nostrand Avenue, the bridge will be built “on line” so expect lane closures when construction begins in the winter of 2010.

Slated to begin in late 2008, the reconstruction of these bridges are slated to take as long as six years, but DOT promises limited disruption of traffic.

Situated in the Sheepshead Bay community, the Nostrand Avenue Bridge was built in 1940, and is a three span  structure with vehicular traffic under the center span.  The proposed new structure will result in several improvements according to DOT.  The new structure will consist of a single span, eliminating the need for support piers (the columns underneath the bridge), resulting in better sightlines for Nostrand Avenue.  Nostrand Avenue will be widened and realigned.  ON the Belt Parkway itself, the bridge will be widened in order to provide new safety shoulders in both directions, and there will be a new reinforced concrete median   Nostrand Avenue is slated to begin construction in the fall of 2011.

Nostrand Avenue will be built “on line” meaning piece-by-piece reconstruction with lane closures to accommodate construction activity.

The Mill Basin Bridge is adjacent to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and the Gateway National Recreation Area.  It is a movable draw bridge on the Belt Parkway with a clearance over mean high water of 35 feet.  The new structure will not be a draw bridge, but a fixed structure with a 60 foot clearance over mean high water.  The new construction will result in increased sight distances, wider lanes, and the inclusion of safety shoulders in both directions.  A new fender system will be installed to protect the bridge substructure from marine traffic.

The Mill Basin Inlet Bridge (pictured above)will be built “off line”, meaning that new structures will be built adjacent to the existing bridges.  Traffic will remain on the existing bridges until the new structures are complete.  According to DOT, minimal impacts will occur when the approach roadways are configured to move traffic to the new bridges.  Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010.

Other bridges included in the reconstruction project include the Fresh Creek, Rockaway Parkway, Bay Ridge and Paerdegat Basin bridges.

When construction starts, Expect the following schedule for weekday lane closures:  all lanes will be open from 5 AM to 10 AM and from 2 PM to 10 PM.  One lane will be closed from 10 AM to 2 PM, and from 10 AM to 5 AM, and two lanes will be closed from 1 AM to 5 AM.  For weekends, expect one lane closed from 11 PM to 6 AM  on Fri-Sat., and two lanes closed from 1 AM to 5 AM Saturday.

Over at the SSJ Development Riviera Suites the blue construction fence has gone up. Real construction will start soon.

Changing from Grey to Stucco beige.

Radio Controlled Society of Marine Park

Although I couldn’t be there to take some pictures. Thanks to Mrs. McCormick for sending these in. It looked like alot of fun for everyone.

Good luck to the Gerritsen Beach Little Leaguers this season.

Does anyone have any pictures? I cant make it

 [Hering Gull (Larus argentatus), Immature / PhotoJeff  Flickr]