Metro-North To Help Replace Up To Three Mount Vernon Bridges

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. – As many as three Mount Vernon bridges that were constructed more than a century ago, are poised to be replaced and redesigned as part of a $10 million project.

The North 14th Avenue Bridge is one of three slated to potentially be replaced in Mount Vernon.
Photo Credit: *Google Maps*

Zak Failla

10/02/2014 5:30 a.m.

Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that a deal had been struck with Metro-North officials to reconstruct slowly deteriorating bridges on 10th, Sixth and North 14th avenues.

Approximately $7 million will be contributed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital program, while local officials, including state Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow and U.S. Rep. Elliot Engel secured the additional funding.

“We are taking an important step toward preserving and improving a vital part of our transportation system and providing peace of mind to the motorists who depend on it,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the project.

According to Mount Vernon Mayor Ernest Davis, the plan calls for the Sixth and 10th avenue bridges to be demolished and rebuilt, while the third bridge will be similarly replaced if the appropriate funds are available.

“We’re proud to partner with Metro-North Railroad, our state and federal colleagues for an initiative to rebuild up to three overhead bridges,” he said. “Replacement of these bridges at this time helps to connect structurally safe support systems in the ongoing efforts of the city is making toward redevelopment.”

Once funding for the project is completely secure, Metro-North will select contractors for the design and construction work. When the first two bridges are completed, all parties involved will look at the funds to determine whether the third will be replaced as well.

Each of the bridges was originally constructed in the last 1800s, and have recently been closed to vehicular traffic. The 106-foot-long Tenth Avenue Bridge is currently closed to traffic, while the Sixth Avenue Bridge was closed for two months in 2011 and the North 14th Avenue Bridge was closed for the same length in 2012.

“I’m pleased to be a part of the effort to help the people of Mount Vernon who drive over these aging structures on a daily basis,” Pretlow added. “Hopefully this will be just one step toward upgrading Mount Vernon’s aging infrastructure, but we have more to do.”

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