Yisroel R.

A long-awaited project that will once again give local residents an easier way to take a stroll at the Gravesend Bay waterfront is moving forward tonight, as major overnight work begins on the new 17th Avenue pedestrian bridge over the Belt Parkway.

Beginning at 11:00 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, October 13, and continuing through 6:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17, NYC DOT crews will perform work on new steel segments of the bridge. Single- and double-lane closures will be required in both directions of the Belt Parkway to allow for crane operations.

For many Boro Park residents, the bridge has long been a familiar route to cross the Belt Parkway and reach the waterfront for a walk along the water. Its years-long closure has meant a significant detour, making the continued installation work a welcome sign that the heavily delayed project is finally nearing completion.

The bridge connects the 17th Avenue and Shore Road area in Bath Beach with the waterfront and Shore Parkway Greenway, making it a familiar route for residents, including many from Boro Park, looking to take a calm stroll along the waterway.

The footbridge has been closed since 2021 and was later demolished as part of the reconstruction project. Its replacement has faced years of delays, leaving pedestrians to use longer alternate routes to reach the waterfront.

The new bridge is expected to include improved clearance over the Belt Parkway and ADA-accessible ramps. With steel installation and other major construction now moving ahead, the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, bringing back a more direct route for residents heading toward the water.

photo: Rosales