Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of $8.5 Million Project to Improve Traffic Flow on the Bronx River Parkway

Redesigned Exit Lane and Ramp by Exit 9 at Gun Hill Road in the Bronx Will Enhance Safety and Reduce Northbound Traffic Backups

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that major construction is complete on an $8.5 million project to remove a notorious traffic bottleneck on the northbound Bronx River Parkway near Exit 9 at Gun Hill Road in the Bronx. The project has enhanced safety and improved mobility on this heavily traveled artery by converting what had been the right travel lane at this location into an exit-only lane for Gun Hill Road and constructing a new travel lane in the left median to maintain three northbound travel lanes. The end of the exit ramp approaching the traffic light at Gun Hill Road has also been re-striped to designate separate lanes for left- and right-turning vehicles.

"New York State is making targeted investments in the infrastructure of all five boroughs to ease traffic and improve safety for the traveling public, and the Bronx is a key beneficiary of these investments," Governor Cuomo said. "From our transformational project converting the Sheridan Expressway into a neighborhood-friendly boulevard to this project on the Bronx River Parkway, we are making this region an even better place to live, work and raise a family." 

With the completion of this project, the Exit 9 ramp's storage capacity has increased to almost half a mile, reducing congestion and enabling traffic to exit the highway more efficiently. The project added new guiderails, drainage structures that filter rainwater before it reaches the Bronx River, signage, and lighting. The northbound parkway within the project limits, the exit ramp for Gun Hill Road, and a pedestrian walkway along the ramp were also repaved. Trees were planted adjacent to the northbound parkway, as well as along the Gun Hill Road exit ramp.

"Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York State is making critical investments in infrastructure that will improve our transportation network and foster economic growth in the Bronx and throughout the state," New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. "This project has enhanced safety and mobility by removing a traffic choke point on the Bronx River Parkway that was the source of frequent backups."

"Residents of the Bronx are no strangers to the congestion on the Bronx River Parkway," said Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez. "Cars often end up bumper-to-bumper and extends our residents' travel time. The completion of this $8.5 million project along the Gun Hill Road exit will undoubtedly alleviate that traffic jam and help our constituents."

"This welcome improvement of Bronx River Parkway will make our borough safer for drivers and more prosperous for our residents," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr."Summer is an excellent time to experience the Bronx, and with reduced road congestion, those who are driving can hopefully spend less time in traffic. We appreciate the governor's commitment to make our borough more interconnected and the roads safer and more reliable."

City Council Member Andy King said, “With the summer driving season upon us, we are very fortunate that the Bronx River Parkway has been improved to help reduce traffic congestion. Congested roads can be as frustrating for local communities as they are for drivers. I thank Governor Cuomo for seeing this project through and for making transit improvement in our region a priority.”