Sunday, April 23, 2023

Monthly Bronx Metro-North Study Update
April 2023

What has the City been up to?

Since our scoping meeting on January 9th, 2023, the Bronx Metro-North Station Area Study team has been busy working to respond to all comments received as part of the public comment period. Thank you to everyone who spoke up and sent in written comments on concerns, support, or new ideas as part of this process. 


Location of the future Morris Park station. The future bridge will connect the west (left in image) and east (right in image) sides of the rail line. 

Plan Highlight: Upcoming Meeting with the Morris Park Community Association
The Bronx Metro-North Station Area study team will be attending the April 26th convening of the Morris Park Community Association. We look forward to discussing the planning work and to speaking about the environmental review and future land use process. 
 

Stay up-to-date on Planning Work:

Please visit the Bronx Metro-North webpage to see a summary of recommendations and past planning work. 


Stay up to date: 

  • Mailing List: To make sure you’re up-to-date on planning work, please sign up for our mailing list at bmns@planning.nyc.gov.

  • Remote Office Hours: Have additional questions or thoughts you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear from you. Sign up for one-on-one remote office hours with the study team here: Sign up!  
  • Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @nycplanning 

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Governor Hochul Announces Start of $61.8 Million Pavement Improvement and Bridge Rehabilitation Project on I-95 in the Bronx and Westchester County

 The 222nd Street pedestrian bridge.

11 Bridges to be Rehabilitated and Two Pedestrian Bridges to Have Superstructures Replaced — Improving the Travel Corridor Used by 120,000 Vehicles Each Day

Work Scheduled to be Completed by End of 2024


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of a $61.8 million pavement improvement project on a four-mile stretch of the New England Thruway I-95 in the Bronx and Westchester County. The majority of the work will take place in the Bronx and includes the rehabilitation of 11 bridges and the replacement of the superstructures — concrete decks and steel beams — of two pedestrian bridges. Approximately 120,000 vehicles use this heavily traveled corridor each day.

"New York State is committed to rehabilitating aging infrastucture in communities that have gone overlooked for far too long," Governor Hochul said. "This project will make critical safety improvements to I-95 in the Bronx and Westchester County and provide not only a safer driving experience for the millions of New Yorkers who drive on the highway every year, but also modernize the state's transportation infrastructure."

The I-95 project will begin with full-depth pavement repairs, meaning crews will remove and replace the most deteriorated portions on a four-mile stretch of roadway (milepost 0 to 4.0), down to its subbase in both the northbound and southbound direction. Covering more than 24 total lane miles, the repairs will improve the roadway's structural integrity. After the concrete pavement is repaired, a two-course asphalt overlay will be installed to provide a smoother ride for motorists.

Paving operations and the majority of work will take place overnight to reduce impacts to motorists.

The other major component of the project is extensive bridge work. Crews will rehabilitate 10 vehicular bridges/ramps and one pedestrian bridge and remove and replace the superstructure on two pedestrian bridges over I-95 in the Bronx (one at 222nd Street and another at Dyre Avenue). Each bridge superstructure replacement will occur over a 48-hour period on a weekend with free shuttle bus service provided during the closures. Those dates and further details will be announced at a later date.

In addition, safety improvements will include new guiderail, additional reflective line striping and upgrades to concrete barriers and curbs. All work is expected to be completed by the end of the 2024.

Restani Construction Corp., of Queens, N.Y., is the project contractor following a competitive bidding process.

Bronx Community Board #10 District Manager Matt Cruz said, "Our Bronx communities are delighted that the I-95's pavement repair project is commencing. This much-needed repair will improve roadway conditions and make safer one of the busiest highways in the State of New York. On behalf of Bronx Community Board #10, I thank Governor Hochul and the New York State Thruway Authority for this commitment."

Motorists may encounter lane closures on the New England Thruway along with traffic shifts and stoppages while construction is underway. Motorists should follow the posted work zone speed limits and are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. In accordance with the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.

The Authority's approved 2023 Budget invests a total of $413 million to support its Capital Program, which is scheduled to invest $1.9 billion into capital projects through 2027.

For up-to-date travel information, motorists are encouraged to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go.

Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map which features live traffic cameras. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert emails, which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - Bronx Business News You Can Use


Upcoming Events, Legislative News, Grant Opportunities, & More
Industry Insights: Cannabis & the Economy
Brady Honored at Salamanca, NYBG Heroes Breakfast
Mott Haven Merchants Organize

Legislative & Advocacy Updates
NYS Budget Update

Member Spotlight
AARP Free Shredding Event, Friday, May 5, 2023 | Bronx, NY: 11am - 2pm

Upcoming Events
Exploring Makers & Breweries, 5/23/2023 at 6pm - The Bronx Brewery
Friday Extra Celebrating Bronx Heros
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: CANNABIS & THE ECONOMY
How did you spend your 420? We talked cannabis, business and the Bronx.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, NYC Department of Small Business Services, the NYS Latino Cannabis Association, ConBUD NY, the Bronx Cannabis HUB, CannaBronx, and the Bronx Community Foundation gathered to discuss cannabis and its impact on our health, businesses, and economy.

The evening included a fireside chat, networking, bites, and cocktails. Demonstration table by Budtenders USA.

Informational booth on cannabis business certification by Lehman College and BMCC.

Stay tuned for the July Industry Insights on Banking, the Financial Sector, and Crypto Currency.

To learn more: sbrn@bronxchamber.org
BRADY HONORED DURING THE 2023 HEROES CEREMONY
BY COUNCILMEMBER SALAMANCA & THE NYBG
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and leadership team joined community stakeholders, elected officials, and representatives from NYC to honor four heroes during the annual Bronx Heroes Breakfast co-hosted by Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. and the New York Botanical Garden.

In recognition of the heroic and compassionate actions of New Yorkers, we were proud to honor the heroic acts of four Bronx residents - including our very own Michael Brady, SVP of Economic Development & Policy - for their commitment to New York City and the Bronx. With their selfless actions, they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to leave behind positive and enduring contributions to the community.

Special thank you to everyone for joining us in celebrating our Bronx heroes, setting and example for New York City and New York State in leadership and putting words into action.
SOUTH BRONX - ORGANIZING MOTT HAVEN MERCHANTS
The Bronx Chamber of Commerce through our Avenue NYC - Mott Haven program continues to organize merchants and develop a strategic vision for the Mott Haven area through grassroots, community based planning to bring focus and attention to the needs of South Bronx businesses.

The team focused on equitable, resilient, and dynamic communities through strategy development and implementation planning in NYC and beyond. The meeting prompted interesting discussion and debate about how cities can grow and evolve without sacrificing local culture and displacing the preexisting residents and businesses.

The Avenue NYC program is completing it's second year of work in the Mott Haven area and highlights the Bronx Chamber's long standing commitment to economic development and diversity in the South Bronx.

LEGISLATIVE & ADVOCACY UPDATES
NYS FY24 Budget - New York state lawmakers passed another weeklong extension for the state's budget today to ensure state operations run undisrupted and workers get paid as budget negotiations continue. State lawmakers will not be paid themselves until a budget is passed. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 24 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, Volunteer Day of Action - Jerome Avenue, in-person, Meeting Location: 1377 Jerome Avenue Bronx, NY.  Join the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Councilmember Althea Stevens, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts & community leaders for a Day of Action and Community Clean Streets including: Tree Bed Stewardship, paint light poles / streetscape maintenance and litter and graffiti removal. This event is sponsored by the Office of Councilmember Althea Stevens and supported with volunteers from Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

April 28 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Developing a Marketing Strategy for Your Business, virtual, The goal of this course is to help entrepreneurs at any stage build a foundational marketing strategy that will inform every marketing tactic they use. Reserve Your Spot - Click Here

June 20 at 7:30am, Joseph P. Kelleher Memorial Golf Tournament, Trump Links at Ferry Point, 500 Hutchinson River Parkway Bronx, NY.  Over 200 notable thought partners, colleagues in business, and influential New Yorkers will tee off for the 2023 Joseph P. Kelleher Memorial Golf Tournament at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. The 2023 Tournament features two (2) tee times, breakfast, lunch, cocktails, and the 2023 Awards Dinner honoring NYC Housing, Preservation, and Development Commissioner Adolfo Carrion, Jr. To purchase foursomes or to sponsor, Click HERE
For the complete Bronx Chamber Events Calendar, featuring educational workshops, networking events and other opportunities hosted by the Chamber, its members, & partners, please visit and bookmark our website events calendar link in your browser - new events are added weekly!