"
Construction workers are confirming that it will be open by Oct. 14.
"
GW south walkway
Wed, 10/11/2006 - 3:46pm
Wed, 10/11/2006 - 8:09pm
#1
So what is the improvement here for cyclists?
Your photo tends to confirm a dark suspicion I've had all along in this bridge work. The Port Authority insisted the upgrading contained some specific improvements that would benefit cyclists. Question to be answered: What are they? Oh, hell, forget the plural. I'll settle for one meaningful one. Stay tuned.
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 8:39am
#2
smooth
One could claim that there is now
1 - new smooth pavement
2 - a new appreciation for the sharp curved on-ramp on the east side
2 - ???
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 11:08am
#3
I strongly doubt any of the GWB work benefits cyclists.
"I don't believe the quality of the pavement on the bridge was ever at issue.
While I'd like to see that ultra-sharp hairpin on the up-ramp expanded, it hasn't been and it's very unlikely it will be.
While I'd like to see a modification in the course around the two bridge stanchions, or at least a closed circuit TV tell us what is ahead of us that we can't see, I don't think that was or is in the works. Expanding the pavement outward around those stanchions would have entailed significant engineering, construction, and money.
No, clearly whatever improvements we'll see, we'll see have been made for the benefit of drivers, the bridge authorities, and ""security.""
I'll be thrilled to be wrong and discover benefits for cyclists.
But note the re-surfaced and, now, very good, new asphalt on 177th St. from Ft. Washington, leading to the ramp. (That was the work of the City of NY, not the Port Authority.)"
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 1:27pm
#4
As I understood and read - the closure was for work involving a beam replacement.
Sun, 10/15/2006 - 5:34pm
#5
3 months for what? What did they do but make the curb cut on the Jersey side too high. It's still the same potholed pathway its always been. And what's with all the glass on the entrance on the NY side?
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 9:41am
#6
where is the curb ramp or curb cut?
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance seems to be missing!
Fri, 10/13/2006 - 12:28pm
#7
The PA is probably exempt from ADA. Ever go by the GWB HQ building on Bridge Plaza South? No curb cuts.
Also no curb cuts to slow bikes down!! Those menaces to society.
To Road Rash above- the beam replacement was completed months ago. It never caused the north pathway to be closed (except for maybe a short duration whil it was being removed)
Sun, 10/22/2006 - 7:11am
#8
port authority is not exempt from ADA. ADA is a federal anti-discrimination law.
Sun, 10/22/2006 - 8:29am
#9
"ADA is not retroactive to existing facilities although there are requirements for "" reasonable accomodation"". this sidewalk is new work and must comply
25 years+ as an architect and have done work for PANYNJ
Glad to hear and see that it looks like they are getting this right"
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 12:24pm
#10
South sidewalk
"It really bothers me that the PA has never given us a satisfactory reason for closing the sidewalk indefinitely from midnight to 6:00 a.m. Katie Lambden in the CRCA newsletter two years ago quoted from an e-mail she received from Russell Jordan of the PA. He wrote, ""A complete closure of the GWB sidewalk was considered, but was deemed not desirable, due to the impact it would have on customers during periods of heavy usage."" Also, ""Closing the sidewalks during the overnight hours enables us to provide a high degree of security at this vital crossing for the over 300,000 customers using the bridge on a daily basis."" Makes perfect sense, I suppose, assuming that terrorists are most likely to be carrying explosives on foot or bicycle, not in a car or truck, and that they always operate between midnight and 6:00 a.m."
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 12:29pm
#11
It is for higher security, you just have to be cynical to interpret the statement. The PA does not want to spend the cash to have at least 1 possible more than 1 guard working a 6 hour shift overnight. Not having guards or some personnel on the bridge might make it more dangerous for muggings, robberies, etc. So to provide a higher degree of security, the PA closes the path so no one will get mugged, robbed, assaulted, etc. while walking or riding on the bridge.
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 12:46pm
#12
And no one will plant explosives.
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 3:43pm
#13
it started when the republicans came to town (nm)
Fri, 10/13/2006 - 6:32am
#14
The security guard shacks are on the outer sides of the towers. They cannot see what is going on on the span. They also have the lights on in the shack and in the towers, so any night vision is killed.
And are you saying that there is no security on the during the nights hours?
Thu, 10/12/2006 - 3:49pm
#15
google truck fire bridge nys
http://tinyurl.com/yjhb4c
was a recent one
goota stop them bicycles
Fri, 10/13/2006 - 2:12pm
#16
THE DEFINITIVE, FINAL WORD on the GWB: It's a good one.
I just (Friday, 5:10PM) hung up from speaking with the senior press officer responsible for communication regarding the bridge.
He states the bridge WILL be open sometime tomorrow. He doesn't know what time so I suspect we'll find ourselves on the north side in the morning but quite possibly on the south side for the return.
Also, and this is the real news given the photo: there IS a curb cut.
Fri, 10/13/2006 - 3:56pm
#17
pre-ride check
i'll do a quick ride up there tomorrow am before the earliest riders leave and check status. when you get to sakura, you'll be updated. you're right, though, if at 5:10 pm today it was not known, most likely it won't be ready for your outbound ride.
Fri, 10/13/2006 - 4:08pm
#18
From the PANYNJ Website
http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/bridges/html/gwb.html#pb
BeginningSaturday, October 13, 2006at approximately 3 p.m., the SOUTH sidewalk will reopen and will operateaccording to the following schedule:
Monday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Tuesday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Wednesday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Thursday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Friday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Saturday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Sunday, 6 AM until 11:59 PM
Sat, 10/14/2006 - 11:20am
#21
The curb cut, in a word, STINKS!
"No, the GWB-south isn't open yet; at least it wasn't as of 12:55PM today, Saturday. But I went to it to look for the promised curb cut.
Hmm, how many more millions of dollars and months would it have taken the Port Authority to make it flush with the road? As it is, there is a ca. 2 3/4"" lip.
Oh, yes, there is an asphalt wedge that, if you take it instead of the curb cut, can put you right in cross traffic. Smart. Not. The same amount of asphalt placed in the ""driveway/entry"" would have been useful and safe. But that would have taken a modicum of forethought."
Sun, 10/15/2006 - 11:23am
#22
On Sunday Oct 15 THE SOUTH TRAIL/PATH IS OPEN!
NO MORE STAIRS TO CLIMB
Sun, 10/15/2006 - 4:02pm
#23
OK, how do you get to the south walkway? Is it easiest to take the greenway or riverside drive?
Sun, 10/15/2006 - 4:24pm
#24
RSD to 165th; turn right uphill and take first left onto Fort Washington; straight (north) to 177th; make a left - go two blocks and turn right onto short block; left at end under ramp, left up the ramp with hairpin turn, and there you are.
OR - if you come from the north, go south on Forth Washington under the bridge, bypassing the north side and turning right on 177th. Proceed as above.
Mon, 10/16/2006 - 4:47pm
#25
Ok I found it after a brief adventure. I went past the turn on Cabrini and wound up taking a ramp that wound down under the highway past some homeless encampments. Got back on the right path, and wow! So much easier than dealing with the stairs on the north side. Had a nice ride up 9W to Alpine and back via Henry Hudson Drive (aka river road), FWIW their is a nice little restaurant at the Englewood Boat Basin - RM's Snack Shack. Stopped in for a hot chocolate before finishing my ride. She is open till the end of the month and will reopen again next spring.
Sun, 10/15/2006 - 7:49pm
#26
Watch the NJ side curb
Watch the NJ side curb the first time you come back!
Richard is right. There is a new curb cut, but it needs another layer or two of pavement to get the road high enough. The old pavement ramp against the curb is mostly gone, but if you go straight in from the road, there is still a small amount you can get up.
Both took me by surprise, and I ended up clipping out to try and figure out which way to go.
Mon, 10/16/2006 - 4:46am
#27
If you are coming north on Hudson Terrace, use the curb cuts along Hudson Terrace before you get to the actual path.
Tue, 10/17/2006 - 11:52am
#28
sidewalk done, road not
They're not done yet, according to an assistant bridge engineer.
Apparently the surface of the work-vehicle access road.....the one that borders the south walkway at the NJ end.... is going to be raised enough to create a smooth(er) transition.
He suggested this would be done within the next few weeks and was unsure whether or not this would again close the south walk.
Tue, 10/17/2006 - 12:05pm
#29
I knew it!
"Ellen wrote: ""He suggested this would be done within the next few weeks and was unsure whether or not this would again close the south walk.""
http://www.nycc.org/mb/thread.aspx?b=1&t=7806&tp=1#msg34675
"
Wed, 10/18/2006 - 6:39pm
#30
In defense of the Port Authority.....
In defense of the Port Authority.....
I got a very quick response to an email I sent them over the weekend expressing alarm at the inadequate curb cut. Post haste, my email was forwarded to the engineers office at the bridge. From them came the explanation that the road surface is to be raised, resulting in a much smoother transition.
My point being that they were super responsive.
Thu, 10/19/2006 - 4:37am
#31
Paving
The area of Hudson Terrace right before the bike path has been ground down as of this morning in preparation for paving.
Lets hope for the best.
Sat, 10/21/2006 - 6:34pm
#32
This Saturday morning they were on their way to pave the area. I'm sure the bike path curb will be improved as a result.
