Waiting To Cross The Open Roosevelt Island Bridge During Extended NYC Department Of Transportation Testing Period - Tomorrow May Be The Last Day For Testing of Roosevelt Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Image of Roosevelt Island Bridge Opening From Jonathan Hoo

Jonathan Hoo was trying to make his way across the Roosevelt Island Bridge this morning when he could go no further.

Image of Roosevelt Island Bridge Opening From Jonathan Hoo

What else could he do but Tweet:

Roosevelt Island Bridge raised. No roadway ahead!

Image of Roosevelt Island Bridge Opening From Jonathan Hoo

Mr. Hoo adds:

The bridge was not up because of a ship passing. I was talking to the construction worker on site and he said it was just a routine test...backing up traffic all the way to Main Street for 15+ minutes at 10:15AM.

Image of Roosevelt Island Bridge Opening From Jonathan Hoo

On May 18 the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) issued this advisory:

Attached please find a notice from the DOT, with regard to the five day extension of the limited daytime closures of the Roosevelt Island Bridge scheduled between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., weekdays, from Monday, May 23rd to Friday, May 27th.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

Image From DOT (Click To Enlarge)

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) explains:

The New York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges began testing the newly rehabilitated Roosevelt Island Bridge on May 3rd, 2011. Testing was anticipated to be completed on Friday May 20th. A five day extension in the testing program is required to complete the entire testing program. We apologize for any inconvenience created by the additional testing schedule.

The bridge will be fully closed to all traffic for up to 15 minutes. All traffic in the queue must dissipate before a second 15-minute closure can occur.

Testing will conclude daily by 2:00 p.m. and is expected to be completed on May 27th. The work is weather sensitive and inclement weather may cause the work to be rescheduled or delayed. Should this occur, additional notification of the revised schedule will be provided. Variable message boards will inform motorists and pedestrians of the closures. NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agents will assist with traffic control at Vernon Blvd and 36th Avenue. During the bridge testing, NYPD, NYFD and EMS units will be available to Roosevelt Island residents and visitors by dialing 911.

Image of Roosevelt Island Bridge Opening From Jonathan Hoo

Perhaps the testing will be over by tomorrow and the Roosevelt Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project completed but we've heard that before. Maybe this time, it's true.

More on the $86.5 million Roosevelt Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project from earlier posts. Still no word on weather a pedestrian safety barrier will be installed on the Queens side of Roosevelt Island Bridge Pathway.

Fortunately, Mr. Hoo did not try an Evel Knievel by jumping from one side of the open Roosevelt Island Bridge to the other. 

Image From The Onion