Draft recommendations from a multi-agency, TIGER II-funded study analyzing the impacts of modifications to the Sheridan Expressway and South Bronx roadway network on surrounding neighborhoods, received mixed reviews from community leaders, advocates, residents and elected officials this past Tuesday night.

Tuesday night’s presentation, although long, was ultimately short on specific recommendations. The team’s main recommendation was the selection of the Modified-Combined traffic scenario – first presented earlier this year in March. This scenario transforms the Sheridan Expressway into a boulevard with medians, signalized intersections and crosswalks, and creates a direct connection from Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point Peninsula.

Additional recommendations included in previous presentations were omitted from Tuesday’s presentation, but the inter-agency team promised that a complete, clear list of draft recommendations will be posted on the website shortly in order to avoid any confusion.

Benefits of the Modified-Combined Scenario

The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance (SBRWA), of which TSTC is a member, has largely supported the Modified-Combined scenario — the best first step toward realizing the kind of positive road and land-use transformation the community has sought  for over a decade.

The Modified-Combined scenario incorporates many of the improvements SBRWA has been calling for, including:

• Construction of ramps that provide direct access from the Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point Peninsula which will move trucks off local streets – including Hunts Point Avenue – and support economic development in the area
• Maximization of developable land along the waterfront and in the footprint of the Sheridan Expressway
• Increased pedestrian access to Starlight Park, Concrete Plant Park and the Bronx River
• Reduction of truck traffic on local streets and increased pedestrian safety through the closure of the southbound Sheridan off-ramp at Westchester Avenue
• Redesign of the hazardous East 177th Street/Devoe Avenue/East Tremont Avenue area
• Pedestrian improvements on Bruckner Boulevard that calm traffic, introduce greenery, make crossings safer and reconnect neighborhoods

Moving forward

Although these recommendations align with SBRWA’s goals, implementation still requires meaningful engagement and consultation with the community. To reinforce that work remains to be done, SBRWA held a press conference Wednesday morning praising the City for recommendations that could improve the South Bronx community while also calling for the City and the State to continue to move the process forward and address outstanding issues, including:

• Closure of the northbound Sheridan off-ramp at Westchester Avenue as an essential step in fully realizing community goals for park access, pedestrian safety and neighborhood connectivity
• Traffic modeling for four-way direct access (four ramps instead of two) from the Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point peninsula. The City’s recommendations discuss only two ramps Eastbound from Bruckner Boulevard, not an additional two ramps Westbound from Bruckner Boulevard.  Four ramps provide the most access to commercial vehicles that need access to Hunts Point and keep more trucks off local streets
• Sustained and meaningful planning with community residents to ensure quality-of-life benefits are gained and displacement of current residents and businesses is prevented

Also, vigilant advocacy with the next New York City mayor, transportation and planning commissioners is needed to ensure this project moves forward.  The current administration has indicated that this should not be a study that sits on a shelf.  But, the sentiment is less secure in 2014.

A full press release and a companion document detailing the SBRWA’s position can be found here and here. The draft recommendations are expected to be available soon on the project website where readers can comment on them before final recommendations are made in June.