Governor Hochul Announces Completion of Landmark $1.7 Billion Hunts Point Access Improvement Project, Strengthening The Community in the South Bronx

Unprecedented State Investment Transformed South Bronx, Reconnected Neighborhoods and Streamlined Access to Hunts Point Terminal Market

Reimagined Road Network Now Takes Thousands of Trucks Off Local Street Network, Enhances Safety and Reduces Congestion and Vehicle Emissions

Provides New Access to Bronx River Waterfront and Green Spaces for Recreation

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that work has been completed on the third and final phase of the transformative $1.7 billion Hunts Point Access Improvement Project — the final milestone in the transformation of the South Bronx that has strengthened neighborhoods, improved mobility and provided new recreational opportunities and access to green space. Overseen by the New York State Department of Transportation, the six-year project streamlined access to the Hunts Point Market and directed thousands of heavy commercial vehicles away from neighborhood streets to ease congestion, enhance safety and improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions. At the same time, the project also created new shared-use paths and provided new connections to area parks and the Bronx River waterfront that will strengthen communities and improve quality of life. This level of investment is a game changer in the South Bronx, restoring east-west connections throughout the borough that were not in place before the initiation of the project.

“For far too long, residents of the South Bronx have contended with heavy truck traffic in their neighborhoods and all the problems that resulted, including high asthma rates and poor health outcomes,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to this project we have taken thousands of trucks headed to the Hunts Point Market off local streets every day and added further fuel to the growing resurgence of the South Bronx with less congested streets, cleaner air and exiting new recreational opportunities along the Bronx River waterfront.”

The Hunts Point Market is the nation’s largest food distribution center and plays a vital role in New York City’s food chain, supplying more than 60 percent of its meat, fish and produce. It is also a vital economic engine for the Bronx, generating more than $2 billion in annual economic activity. The project created direct access to Hunts Point from both the Bruckner Expressway and Sheridan Boulevard, removing tens of thousands of commercial vehicles from local streets and alleviating congestion. It was accomplished in three overlapping phases and completed under-budget.

Phase one, which concluded in October of 2022, focused on removing heavy truck traffic from local streets by constructing three new ramps to Edgewater Road. These included a new two-way ramp from Sheridan Boulevard and a connection from the eastbound Bruckner Expressway. Edgewater Road was also resurfaced and outfitted with new traffic signals at Seneca and Garrison Avenues to enhance safety. Additionally, four bridges over Amtrak and CSX rail lines were replaced and the Bryant Avenue pedestrian bridge was reconstructed.

Garrison Park was also upgraded with new landscaping, Bronx River overlooks and a formal entrance featuring a signalized rail crossing. A new shared-use path was created to connect Garrison Park with Concrete Plant Park, extending the Bronx River Greenway. Another 15,000 square feet of “Bronx River Open Space” was also created beneath the rehabilitated Bronx River Avenue viaduct for residents to enjoy.

The second phase, which ended in the summer of 2023, reconstructed 1.25 miles of the Bruckner Expressway and created new ramps linking the westbound Bruckner to Leggett Avenue, providing a more direct route into Hunts Point. A 1.75-mile stretch of Bruckner Boulevard was reconstructed with fifteen intersections, which were upgraded with new sidewalks, curbs, medians and crosswalks. A 1.5-mile shared-use path was added along Bruckner Boulevard that connects to Randall’s Island, Manhattan and the Bronx River Greenway.

The third phase began in late 2022 and focused on eliminating long-standing bottlenecks and preparing the corridor for the future. The Bruckner Expressway and Sheridan Boulevard interchange was completely reconstructed with relocated ramps to simplify traffic movements in each direction. Signage was also upgraded for greater clarity. New pavement, sidewalks and bikeways were installed along the eastbound and westbound Bruckner Boulevard. Improved local street design will enhance pedestrian safety with shorter crosswalks and better signalization and lighting. A shared-use path was added to connect paths from 141st Street to the Bronx River bikeways.

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