New York governor Kathy Hochul has announced the third and final phase of the $1.7 billion Hunts Point Access Improvement Project is now underway in the South Bronx. Launched in 2019, the goal of the project is to provide improved access between the Hunts Point Peninsula and the Sheridan and Bruckner Expressways for automobiles and trucks traveling to and from wholesale commercial businesses located on the peninsula. The project will also address infrastructure deficiencies in the area.
A $446 million contract has been awarded for the third and final phase of the project, which includes reconstruction of the Bruckner Expressway interchange with Sheridan Boulevard and other improvements that will reduce congestion, enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety, and provide easier access to the Hunts Point Terminal Market, one of the largest wholesale food distribution centers in the world.
It is estimated that more than 78,000 vehicles travel to the Hunts Point Peninsula every day. Around 13,000 of these vehicles are currently forced to use small local roads that have suffered degradation as a result, and has adversely impacted air quality in the community.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, phase three will also create a 117-vehicle parking lot under the Bruckner Expressway that will include 24 electric vehicle charging stations.
“There is no better example of the important role modern infrastructure can play in ensuring the economic health and well-being of a community than Hunts Point,” said governor Hochul. “The changes we are making to this vital hub for commerce will not only make it easier to transport goods to and from the market, but also improve quality of life for the surrounding neighborhoods by taking thousands of trucks off local streets and providing new recreational opportunities that will further fuel the revitalization of the South Bronx.”
Phase three construction is expected to be completed by fall 2025.
Aerial view of the Hunts Point Terminal Market
Phase one was completed in October 2022 and included the reconstruction of a nine-span overpass and three bridges above Amtrak/CSX train tracks, the construction of two new ramps connecting Hunts Point Peninsula with the Bruckner Expressway and Sheridan Boulevard, as well as extensive pavement and sidewalk repairs.
Phase two is still under construction and involves 1.25 miles of the Bruckner Expressway between 141st Street and Barretto Street. The scope of work includes widening the roadway and providing new entrance and exit ramps that connect Bruckner Expressway to Leggett Avenue. The ramps will provide a direct route between the highway network and the Hunts Point Peninsula, including the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. The outcome is expected to drastically reduce truck traffic on local streets.
“The Hunts Point Access Improvement Project is a game changer for the South Bronx and is part of the historic commitment governor Hochul has made to revitalizing our infrastructure in ways that reconnect our communities and strengthen our neighborhoods,” said New York State Department of Transportation commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez. “When this project is completed, the people of the South Bronx will see fewer trucks on local roads and less congestion, which will help improve air quality, and they will also have wonderful new recreational opportunities.”
All phases of the project are overseen by the New York State Department of Transportation.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
ummm, wat the heckkers? why bother unless can we get renders and pix of the new work instead of random googles of hunts point? god forbid someone visit the bx.
Just to provide an update the Leggett Avenue ramps from phase 2 are complete and operational. Still a lot of phase 2 work in regards to replacing the elevated deck and working on the street level.
Phase 3 is the most complex of the project it appears, as it involves substantial demolition and reconfiguration. I believe temporary structures will replace portions of the elevated roadway at some point during construction near Hunts Point Avenue.
Overall when this is done the Bruckner Expressway will have three lanes throughout the project area, eliminating a two lane bottleneck near the Bronx River. And the newly opened ramps of course allow for more direct highway access to and from Hunts Point. The entire elevated structure will have been refurbished which should reduce necessary maintenance for some time.
Enjoying the infrastructure coverage. Please cover the rehabilitation of the elevated section of the Bronx River Parkway when that kicks off. And updates on the Major Deegan Expressway would be nice too.
It’s nice to see NY’s elected officials focusing on infrastructure for commercial traffic. So many recent projects with the noble goal of prioritizing pedestrians over private cars have unintentionally made NYC harder to navigate for essential truck traffic.
This project highly benefits all road users. Not only does it make it easier for automotive traffic to directly access Hunts Point while spending less time on local streets and improve traffic flow, but it provides for a better pedestrian and micro-mobility experience too. An ADA accessible pedestrian bridge at Bryant Avenue (old one had steps), new safer street reconfigurations in the vicinity (traffic calming, bollards, lighting, shorter crossings, etc) including a greenway style off-street bicycle path along the length of the project area, new park and pedestrian connection under the Bruckner near the Bronx River.
Though not perfect it’s an improvement overall.