For decades, the Cross Bronx Expressway has meant traffic, truck noise and aging bridges that residents say seem long overdue for repair.

On Tuesday night, state transportation officials laid out what they call the next step: a plan to rebuild several of those bridges, and they’re asking the community to weigh in before the clock runs out.

What You Need To Know

  • For decades, the Cross Bronx Expressway has meant traffic, truck noise and aging bridges that residents say seem long overdue for repair

  • On Tuesday night, state transportation officials laid out what they call the next step: a plan to rebuild several of those bridges, and they’re asking the community to weigh in before the clock runs out on Friday

  • The five bridges between Boston Road and Rosedale Avenue undergoing repair were built about 70 years ago
  • The American Society of Engineers recently gave New York State’s bridges a C- on the latest infrastructure report card, a warning that many more need major work

“This is a culmination of listening to the public but also soliciting feedback on what will be the ultimate design of this project.” Rolando Infante, a publlic information officer with the New York State Department of Transportation, said.

The five bridges between Boston Road and Rosedale Avenue undergoing repair were built about 70 years ago.

The American Society of Engineers recently gave New York State’s bridges a C- on the latest infrastructure report card, a warning that many more need major work.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what changes they’re implementing,” West Farms resident Dana Mason said.

One of the design options includes a shared bike and pedestrian path, built along a new traffic diversion structure beside the expressway. It’s meant to create a safer way for residents like Mason to cross the area.

“I have a bike, but I’m too scared to ride it out in these streets,” Mason said.

“They feel very unsafe sometimes when they’re on their bikes in the Bronx, and something like this — a traffic diversion structure — is a very welcome addition to reconnect communities,” Infante said.

Engineers are also studying a “breakdown shoulder” so stalled cars can pull over instead of shutting down a travel lane.

“Right now, if a car breaks down in the current scheme of the highway, it blocks off a lane of traffic, and it makes the traffic go slower,” Infante said.

Some neighbors have said the timeline for public review feels too tight for a project this big, and worry the window to weigh in doesn’t give families enough time to fully understand what’s being proposed.

Officials say the 53-day comment period is more than the 30-day minimum requirement.

“We’re going to be listening to the community and will be adhering to the will of the community,” Infante said.

The public comment period ends on Friday.

Once a proposal is accepted, construction could begin as soon as the end of the year. The cost is estimated at nearly $900 million.

This proposal is different from another that seeks to cap parts of the expressway to build green space and control pollution in an area that has increasing asthma rates.