Scarsdale 10583

Just as we can see the end of the Popham Road Bridge construction project, which has snarled downtown traffic for years, another project is in the works that will impact shoppers, commuters and downtown businesses for the years to com.

The Crane Road Bridge, the part of the Bronx River Parkway that takes traffic both north and south of Scarsdale Village, straddling the Bronx River and the train tracks, is need of replacement. The original bridge was designed by Delano and Aldrich, one of New York’s premier architectural firms, who also designed Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate. Built in 1924, the County now says the Crane Road Bridge is “poor condition.” The current four-lane bridge will continue to be used while the County constructs a new bridge. just to the west of the current structure. The project will take 34 months to complete at a cost of $39,425,000, all funded by the County.

The new bridge will have sidewalks and a ramp that will give pedestrian’s access from the bridge to the path along the Bronx

The old bridge needs to be replaced

Construction is due to begin this month and scheduled to last for 34 months, almost three years. Phase 1, the first 10 months of the project, will involve work underneath the bridge and will not impact traffic.

But here’s the kicker. Ten months from now, in March, 2013 both the north and south bound exits of the Bronx River Parkway at Crane Road are scheduled to be closed for two years during the construction of the new bridge. Cars travelling on the Bronx River Parkway in either direction will no longer be able to exit at Scarsdale Village. Cars travelling south on the parkway will need to access the Village via the Greenacres Avenue exit, and travel south on Fox Meadow Road. Though this is not an official detour, local residents may use this route which could greatly increase traffic along Fox Meadow Road. For access from the south, cars will need to exit at Harney Road and travel up Scarsdale Road or Garth Road…. again an inconvenience.

Furthermore, 17 of the parking spaces in the merchants’ parking lot next to the Scarsdale train station will become a staging area for the equipment needed to build the bridge. These parking spaces will no longer be available to the merchants who park there to free-up spots for customers. According to Assistant Village Manager Steve Pappalardo, merchants who currently park there will be given permits to park at designated Scarsdale resident permit spaces located on Scarsdale Avenue and Depot Place. This will reduce the number of spaces available to commuters.

The new bridge will be built to the

west of the current bridge

The good news is that the Popham Road Bridge should be completed in December, 2012, before the Crane Road Bridge project forces the closure of the Bronx River Parkway exits. But it will be a long time before all of this work will be behind us. Learn more about the plans at the Westchester County website here:

Comments (8)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by Maria, May 24, 2012

They call this progress and improvement? Certainly they are destroying the town's character. As it is the ugly railing that is being added to the sides of the train station along East Parkway is making this town look like pedestrian walks that go across the Metro North rails as you approach the Bronx and NYC. We already have the high stone walls and the rails over the bridge . If some dummy wants to jump why should we pay the price of ugly appeal? Also, with the Crane bridge, why can't they exit in the next street after Crane. This would release the congestion we already have in the village. Think before you vote next time.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by greenacres resident, May 11, 2012

Will the traffic light by Hitchcock Church be adjusted to accommodate all the southbound traffic exiting the Bronx River Parkway? I have visions of traffic backed onto the Bronx River Parkway (especially when a train arrives at the Hartsdale Station and all the cars picking up on the northbound side of the station join the traffic exiting the Parkway). Walworth Avenue is likely to turn into a very congested street.

The article states that the new bridge will be built to the west of the current bridge. Looking at the map, it seems that the new bridge will be built to the east of the current bridge.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by bill, May 10, 2012

Getting shoppers into the village is difficult enough. This will make it even more so. We need to see restaurants in town to stimulate local business a la Bronxville, Rye, Greenwich. With many unoccupied retail spaces available, you would think the powers that be would take a more active role in trying to make Scarsdale a business destination.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Terri, May 10, 2012

My concern is cars having to travel pivite roads will cause curious minds. have them travel a route. Away from people wanting to break into homes.

• 
• -2
• 
• 

...
written by another fox meadow resident, May 09, 2012

I know this sucks for a lot of us, but what are our other options? If we need a new bridge, then how else do you propose we go about building one? Things will be annoying for a little, but we'll all be happy in the end.

• 
• +2
• 
• 

...
written by Fox Meadow Resident, May 08, 2012

This is absolutely terrible news. The county may need to replace the bridge, but the plans that they have made for traffic are just not viable. First. Fox Meadow Road is a residential street which elementary school children cross to go to school and is popular with joggers and bikers. Putting this much traffic on that road, much of which will be people unfamiliar with the area is a huge hazard to residents. Second, the plan to put northbound traffic onto Harney road is equally laughable. Imagine how long it will take to get through the light at the corner of Garth & Popham with that extra traffic. Garth Road is going to be a parking lot.

Not only will this plan be dangerous to pedestrians in Fox Meadow (all of Fox Meadow as many people will choose to go down Brite, Brewster and other roads if Fox Meadow Road is busy), but will also kill businesses in the village as many people outside Scarsdale will no longer travel there.

• 
• -2
• 
• 

...
written by Claire, May 08, 2012

It is interesting that one of the selling points they listed for replacement rather than repair was that they could maintain 4 travel lanes on the existing bridge, yet for the majority of the plan, there are only 2 or 3.

Also, it appears that this will bring the parkway traffic much closer to the Chateaux Circle complex when it is complete.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by Scarsdale Friend, May 08, 2012

I understand that the bridge is in "poor condition" and needs to be replaced. However, as a resident of Fox Meadow Road, this is terrible news. First and foremost, the road still suffers from many pot holes and damage which were mainly caused by the daily traffic of large trucks going back and forth for the construction of Christie Place complex. These trucks were filled to the brim with material, and the street really took a beating. The town, of course, only patch up holes here and there. Now, once again the street will be host to tons of traffic coming through the neighborhood.
The street is also popular to pedestrians and joggers. Some drivers really speed down the street, and there are a lot of curves with blind spots. I am truly fearful for increased accidents.
Now, add in the transmitters they want to install for better cell service too. Wow, what a great neighborhood to live in!

• 
• -1
• 
• 

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

Add Comment