Proposed work schedule for JFK Bridge

Last Updated on Wednesday, February 06, 2013 02:26 pm Written by SHAUN SMITH Wednesday, February 06, 2013 02:23 pm

Under the construction schedule proposed by the county, work would begin underneath the bridge on May 1 with both lanes of the bridge remaining open. Work would be permitted 24 hours a day Monday through Thursday.

From May 22 through Labor Day, Sept. 6, work would be below the bridge overnight from 8 p.m.-5 a.m., with traffic flowing in both directions on the surface.

After Labor Day, one lane would be kept open, with traffic alternating, while work is performed on half of the bridge deck 24 hours a day from Monday through Thursday. On the three days when work is not permitted, both lanes of traffic would be open to vehicles.

County Engineer Joe D'Abundo said the county is allowing continuous work, but when the contract is awarded, the contractor can opt to not work 24 hours a day.

He said the materials used are temperature-sensitive, and winter shutdown of bridge deck work is anticipated to last Dec. 1 through early spring when the thermometer dips below 45 degrees. Once work begins, the same alternating traffic pattern would be in effect while deck work is performed on the other half of the span.

The deck work is to be completed by May 22, 2014 so both lanes can be reopened to traffic, and no lane closures would be allowed until Sept. 5. During that time, work would only be allowed under the bridge during normal working hours Monday through Thursday.

After Sept. 5, work on the bridge deck would be allowed during normal working hours Monday through Thursday with traffic alternating in the one open lane, in effect to allow for a protective overlay to set on the bridge. The traffic would alternate during the fall to the other side of the bridge so the remaining deck can be overlaid.

All work is to be completed sometime in the fall of 2014.