The Harlem River Drive Flyover Project |
In 2004, as part of the reconstruction of the Harlem River Drive, the NYC Department of Transportation proposed a "Flyover" or "Entrance Ramp Structure" to be attached to a reconstructed 127th Street viaduct/overpass on the Harlem River Drive. The plan proposed widening the Harlem River Drive, reconstructing the existing 127th Street Viaduct and constructing an elevated structure, the Flyover, from 126th to 131st streets. The total cost of the project was estimated at $78 million.
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Concerned with the serious environmental, health, and economic impacts the Flyover would have on the East Harlem Triangle community and on Harlem River Park users, the Harlem River Park Task Force (HRPTF), including Congressman Charles B. Rangel, NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano, NYC Council Member Inez E. Dickens, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Manhattan Community Board 11 Chairman Lino Rios, and community residents, rallied to oppose the plan. If approved and built, the Flyover project would have had the following negative impacts:
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From 2004 to 2005, the HRPTF and its members submitted letters of concern and petitions to NYC Department of Transportation and the NYC Transportation Coordinating Committee, which operates under NY Metropolitan Transportation Council, urging them to discontinue the Flyover plan and propose a less harmful alternative. A compromise was finally reached when the NYC Department of Transportation, after listening to the community's concerns and objections, proposed an alternative plan that would eliminate the need for a flyover structure.
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The plan that was eventually agreed upon, proposes constructing a dedicated Left Lane 2nd Avenue Exit to improve traffic flow coming off of Harlem River Drive. The plan will also include barriers between the sidewalk and road to protect pedestrians from high speed traffic flow coming from Harlem River Drive. While this alternative plan eliminates the need for a flyover structure, one of the HRPTF's biggest concerns, it still impedes on 12 feet of land dedicated to the future Southern Phase of Harlem River Park. Construction of this plan is underway and is expected to finish in 2017.
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