Watch Video Of Roosevelt Island Roadways Working Group Meeting Of RIOC Staff And Resident Discussing Z Brick Removal, Main Street Pedestrian/Vehicle Safety, Illuminated And Repositioned Traffic Signage - What Do You Think

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) hosted an August 13 community working group meeting to discuss the Main Street Roadways project with RIOC staff, Board Directors and residents in attendance. RIOC Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen presented phase 1 of the plan which includes the area from Motorgate Plaza to Blackwell Plaza.

Image From RIOC August 13, 2024 Roadways Working Group Meeting

Accordng to Ms Cunneen:

... The Z-bricks are the main focus of phase one, looking at removing those and installing a more stable surface. 

Another existing condition is the signage on the Island. If you go down Main Street you might see several signs on one pole. There's a lot of repetitive signage there and it causes a lot of sign fatigue so drivers don't always know which sign to obey or which sign is pertinent to them. So having a lot of signage on the Island can be more distraction sometimes than actual assistance....

Image From RIOC August 13, 2024 Working Group Meeting

Image From RIOC August 13, 2024 Working Group Meeting

Here's Ms Cunneen's full presentation to the August 13 Roosevelt Island Roadways Community Working Group

and video of the meeting.

RIOC Communications Director Bryant Daniels ended the meeting adding:

... We will schedule another meeting for two weeks from now. I think the idea is we'd like everybody to sort of digest the ideas, think things through and then come back and if you have any new thoughts any new ideas any new feedback we'd really like to hear it....

These types of engagement meetings are really helpful for us and allow us to make informed decisions that hopefully will be well received...

RIOC Invites Roosevelt Island Residents To Join Main Street Roadway Project Working Group August 13 Meeting Via Zoom - Hear The Latest Plan And Make Recommendations About Vehicle/Pedestrian Safety And Street Signage

Last March, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) announced:

At the suggestion of the Roosevelt Island community, RIOC is putting together several new working advisory groups made up of island residents and RIOC personnel to discuss emergent issues on the island. These groups will offer recommendations and feedback to RIOC on some of the most pressing issues we face, from safety and transportation to economic development and capital planning....

Previous working advisory group sessions were on the Tram and Island operations.

Today RIOC announced an upcoming community working group meeting to discuss the ongoing Main Street Roadway project.

According to RIOC:

Dear Roosevelt Island Residents:

RIOC is putting together its next community working group, made up of island residents and RIOC personnel, to discuss the ongoing roadways project along Main Street.

As many have noticed, driving down Main Street is hardly a “smooth ride.” The road, which is still made up of z-bricks in large sections, is bumpy, uneven, and difficult for both motorists and pedestrians to safely navigate, especially at the crosswalks. What’s more, signage around the island can be difficult to understand in some places and contradictory in others, further compounding problems for travelers.

This working group will hear plans about ways to address the issues plaguing Main Street and offer recommendations and feedback to RIOC on managing the overall project, currently scheduled for two phases of work.

The first meeting of the roadways working group will be on Tuesday, August 13th and will meet online via Teams (no Microsoft account necessary to participate).

If you are interested in participating, please fill-out the form at this link: 

This group is a wonderful way for Roosevelt Island residents to get involved and have their ideas heard and discussed with fellow island stakeholders and RIOC.

We look forward to your participation and can’t wait to hear your feedback!

-RIOC Executive Team

During the May 22, 2024 RIOC Real Estate Advisory Developement Committee meeting, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen discussed the Roadway and Paved Surfaces Rehab Design Plan 

for Main Street between the Blackwell House Traffic Circle and Foodtown/Motorgate crossing.

Here's the Roadway and Paved Surfaces Rehab Design Plan  

REDAC discussion.

New RIOC Interim Leadership Team Inspects Condition Of Roosevelt Island Sidewalks And Roadways On Walk With Residents, Maintenance Team Takes Immediate Action To Implement Fixes - Residents Happy With Positive Outcome And Look Forward To Continued Community Partnership

Image From Rioc

According to a Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) (X) Tweet: 

In February, RIOC Deputy Counsel Gerrald Ellis & Acting-COO Mary Cunneen went on an island walking tour with Audrey Tannen, island resident & District Office Director for State Senator @LizKrueger , & longtime island resident Joan Brooks, to assess different areas of maintenance..

...particularly with regard to the z-bricks that line the island. RIOC’s Maintenance team then made immediate fixes across different island locations, which will reduce trip hazards and make navigating the island much easier, especially for members of the disabled community.

— Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@RIOCny) February 27, 2024

Ms Tannen adds:

Senator Krueger has heard from many residents concerned about the condition of the sidewalks and roadways on RI. Deferred maintenance is not good for the infrastructure and, more importantly, for safety when navigating the Island. Gerald and Mary were very responsive to our request to hike the Island. We strolled from Copabianco Field to Cornell Tech-Mary was taking pictures and putting in tickets all along the way! Of course—it’s just a beginning—we must continue to report and to maintain. Please submit those repair tickets to RIOC Tikkit.

While Joan and I were happy not only by the positive response but also by the ACTIONS taken-we did express disillusionment that , although this work should have been done; it wasn’t. We’re encouraged by the positive outcome and look forward to continued partnership between RIOC, the community and our office.

Ms Tannen is correct. So far, the new interim RIOC leadership of Deputy General Counsel Gerrald Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Dhru Amin have brought a needed dose of transparency, communications and engagement to the Roosevelt Island community.

The February 15 Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Real Estate Development Advisory Committee discussed the issue of repaving the street and sidewalk Z-Bricks as well as repairing the dangerous street crossings and potholes.

Here's the discussion.

Also, here's more on the RIOC Tikkit system for residents and RIOC staff to report problems.

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A post shared by Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (@rooseveltislandny)

During the January 17, 2024 RIOC Board Of Directors Operations Advisory Committee meeting, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mary Cunneen provided this presentation on the Tikkit system.

Roosevelt Island Community Update From RIOC - Infrastructure Improvements Underway For Roads, Street Lights, Wireless Devices, Lighthouse Park Foot Bridges, Landscaping Upgrades & Sportspark Pool Temperature Fluctuations

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Island’s Infrastructure Rebuild Gains More Momentum

ISLAND ROADS

Several critical areas of Roosevelt Island’s asphalt roads in need of repairs to cracks, potholes and collapsed drains are being addressed by our road contractor that has started milling work and will continue with paving, rolling and striping today, October 30 through Thursday, November 1, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation said Tuesday.

The identified areas include West Road, by the MTA Subway Station; Main Street, by the Community Garden and The Octagon entrance; and the NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler loop. Four crosswalks, located on Main Street by the shops and Chapel of the Good Shepherd are to be restriped next week as well. The work is being performed by Rosemar Construction Company, of Long Island, N.Y, which specializes in a range of commercial, municipal/industrial and residential road work services.

LIGHT FIXTURES

Some 108 light-head fixtures on Roosevelt Island have been repaired and retro-fitted in the past 90 days including the replacement of old inefficient, incandescent light bulbs around the Island and at Sportspark pool with new LED bulbs and the rewiring of corroded electrical panels including at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

The new LED bulbs - which are activated by photoelectric sensors and timers - use less energy and last up to 50,000 hours as compared to the incandescent bulbs that used more  electricity and only had a light life of 10,000.

RIOC maintenance staff and Ral-Bar Electric of Long Island City, N.Y. have completed most of the work.

RIOC staff will also be applying identification stickers on each light fixture to help streamline the process of identifying which fixtures are out or experiencing problems in the future. If you see a light out, you now can simply tell us its number. That work is expected to be completed by the end of November.

(Pictured in the photos is Luis Fernandez, a member of RIOC’s Facilities Maintenance Department).

WIRELESS SMALL CELL ANTENNAS

Wireless device connectivity on Roosevelt Island is about to be vastly improved, and less congested, during the next few weeks.

Crown Castle International Corp., the nation’s largest provider of shared communications infrastructure, will be installing 22 unique small cell locations on the Island covering from north to south. The antennas and fiber-optic cable-based networking will provide coverage and capacity for up to four data/phone service carriers including Verizon

Small cells are important wireless infrastructure that increase capacity and connectivity for mobile devices. They are small, low-powered antennas that can be installed on light and utility poles, street signs, and even on rooftops. Crown Castle, under a 10-year licensing agreement, will be building and maintaining this fiber ring around Roosevelt Island to supply various locations with better connectivity.

As the Roosevelt Island community continues to grow, more residents, businesses, students and visitors are relying on wireless devices to connect to the Internet and communicate (more than 50 percent of all U.S. households rely only on wireless phones; and some 80 percent of all 911 calls are made from wireless devices). When too many people try to use their mobile devices, the network can become overloaded: calls drop or don’t connect.

Small cells, like the ones being installed around the Island, can and will relieve this wireless congestion.

LIGHTHOUSE PARK

Roosevelt Island’s Lighthouse Park will soon be receiving some direly needed repairs. RIOC recently announced it has hired an architectural firm to design renovations to the two pedestrian footbridges in the area, adjacent pavement work, park landscaping upgrades and the creation of a salt riparian habitat as part of a natural floodable landscape adjacent to the Lighthouse tower. The Lighthouse tower is now closed off to visitors until that work is completed by next Spring.

SPORTSPARK POOL

In recent weeks, we’ve received a few complaints that the pool water at Sportspark is too cold, although our goal is to keep the temperature in the vicinity of 84 degrees which sometimes fluctuates + or – 2 degrees. From our regular maintenance checks, we’ve determined that Sportspark’s recently-installed boiler is working fine, so we are continuously monitoring the temperatures and sensors and will work with the contractor (who installed the boiler) to determine how we can prevent future temperature fluctuations. We will provide an update once we’ve resolved the situation.

If You See Something, or Have a Question About Something, That Needs Fixing

The Community Request Tracker system is a new feature on the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s website. The system allows RIOC to track and address maintenance, grounds and facilities issues submitted by Island residents, businesses and organizations.

For non-emergencies during the week and weekend, Island residents should not call the Island’s Public Safety Department (PSD) but rather submit a FIX IT ticket (click the link provided or go to the “Report A Problem” icon at the homepage of rioc.ny.gov,) and the request is immediately routed to the correct department.

If you need help navigating the system, call Alonza Robertson, RIOC’s public information officer at 212.832.4540.

Residents can report problems involving animal control, electrical, Island infrastructure, parks and recreation: dead trees, garbage, grass or landscaping; facility cleanliness, field damage and transportation: Red Bus service or the Tram.

For emergencies, during the week and weekends – electrical outages, flooding etc. - residents should immediately call PSD, at 212.832.4545, and PSD will call the appropriate Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation department to respond.

Again, if you see something, that’s a non-emergency, say something to us directly via a ticket and not to PSD.

RIOC Begins Roosevelt Island Main Street Repairs Tomorrow - Milling, Paving, Rolling And Striping

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson reports:

Several critical areas of Roosevelt Island’s asphalt roads in need of repairs to cracks, potholes and collapsed drains are being addressed by a road contractor that has started milling work and will continue with paving, rolling and striping tomorrow through Thursday, November 1.

The identified areas include West Road, by the MTA Subway Station; Main Street, by the Community Garden and The Octagon entrance; and the NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler loop. Four crosswalks, located on Main Street by the shops and Chapel of the Good Shepherd are to be restriped this week as well. The work is being performed by Rosemar Construction Company, of Long Island, N.Y, which specializes in a range of commercial, municipal/industrial and residential road work services.

RIOC President Community Report - Roosevelt Island Weekend Races Reduced, Tram Platform & Helix Ramp Repairs Update, Pothole Fixes & Roosevelt Island Day

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Susan Rosenthal reports to the community:

During the past decade, road running on Roosevelt Island has become increasingly popular due to the Island’s flat, fast race course and the scenic views along the East River seawalls.

But recent RI residents’ complaints about the parking restrictions, noise and traffic caused by the 5K and 10K events has led us to review our race permit policy. And after meeting with a delegation of Southtown and Roosevelt Island Residents Association members this week – including Mickey Rindler, Janet Falk, Dave Evans, Melissa Wade, Erin Feely-Nahem, and Jianfan Zhu – in addition to several internal meetings between myself, RIOC Vice President of Operations Shelton Haynes and RIOC’s Public Safety Department, Permitting; and Parks and Recreation teams; we’ve decided to implement the following changes:

• No more than two road races per month;
• The elimination of 10K events; only 5K events with a maximum of 1,000 people will be permitted;
• Move the race course away from residential buildings and reduce the impact to traffic;
• Uniform starting times of 8:30 a.m., no pre-race microphone or speaker use until 30 minutes prior to start time;
• Impose non-compliance monetary penalties to race directors and organizers.

With some events already under contract, we may not be able to implement these changes for all upcoming 2018 races, but we have been in telephone and written contact with all the race promoters re-emphasizing our existing rules.

We are also asking race organizers to remind participants to use the MTA subway or NYC Ferry to travel to the Island instead of driving or traveling by the Tram due to the ongoing Helix ramp repairs and the Tram platform construction project. And if you must drive, please abide by the event parking signs to steer all cars to the Motorgate.

In considering these changes, we’ve tried to balance our earnest desire to bring more visitors to the Island with the encouragement that they will support our businesses and restaurants, particularly those along Main Street. We know these changes are not going to be perfect, but we are embracing what you are saying and we are going to do something about it. And, if we need to make further modifications, let’s continue the dialogue.

Tram Platform and Helix Update

The Tram Platform construction work is on schedule; we’re planning for completion before Roosevelt Island Day on June 16, when both cabins will be back in operation and, at the RI Station, a new MetroCard vending machines will be installed and the existing kiosk will be re-opened for use.

One lane of the Helix ramp project has been completed and work has begun on the second travel lane. As was before, workers will have to demolish the existing concrete topping slab, and in some cases, replace the underlying rebar, (the mesh of steel wires used to strengthen and hold the concrete in compression).

As we’ve mentioned previously, some sections of the Helix’s existing structural concrete slabs (see illustration)

were in worse disrepair than we’d originally diagnosed and will require a more extensive repair that may extend this project’s completion a few additional weeks.

Potholes

Rain is good for Roosevelt Island’s trees and grass, not so much for our roads.

During downpours, water seeps through cracks in the old or weakened asphalt (or Z-bricks in some cases) and the sand and gravel “roadbed” that supports the road soaks up that water. Cars, heavy trucks and buses pass over the road and force the water to spread through the sagging roadbed.

Eventually the asphalt sinks into the eroded parts of the roadbed and small cracks, become larger from the continued impact of tires; eventually forming a small pothole that grows into a big one. Compound this with the record amounts of snow and freezing ice dumped on us during the recent winter, along with the negative byproduct of using salt to defrost the surfaces; and you’ll see some areas of our roads have become untenable.

We have a plan, that we started to implement now that drier skies have prevailed in recent days. The RIOC maintenance crew has addressed some of the worst stretches of roadway potholes - near the Octagon tennis courts and along West Loop road by the RI Tram and subway stations - using “cold patch”; a cold asphalt product used to make road repairs quickly. Cold patch can be shoveled or poured into a pothole from the container without heating and tamped down with a hand tool.

But this is only a temporary fix to a larger problem. In 1969, When Roosevelt Island was designed as a mixed-income residential community, urban planners and architects wanted this to be a car-free (and dog free) Island (a novel concept at the time). Cars crossing the Roosevelt Island Bridge were to be required to park at the Motorgate garage.

Thus, when Main Street was created, the roadbuilders laid the Z-brick atop of a gravel and sand roadbed with no concrete binding agent in between, like most traditional roads designed for heavy traffic loads. Years later that decision, plus our residential and commercial growth, has lead us to today’s issues.

We’re working now to procure a full-service roadway company to work with us to make the necessary repairs. I’ll provide you updates as we get closer to the RFP’s issuance, contract award and project schedules.

I’d like to thank Steve Noone, our assistant Vice President of Capital Planning and Projects; and Alonza Robertson, our RIOC public information officer; for teaching me more about road repair than I ever thought I would know.

Roosevelt Island Day

Roosevelt Island Day is Saturday, June 16. We’re looking forward to partnering with many different Island groups – including the Roosevelt Island Senior Association, the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, the RI Garden Club, RI Girl Scouts, Island Kids and others - toward staging a day-long community festival that celebrates the Island’s beauty and diversity and encourages volunteerism in furtherance of that goal.

Besides, the interactive games, children’s activities and food, I’m happy to announce that the evening’s concert performer will be The Funktion, an eight-piece Motown tribute band. Get ready for a great party!

Emergency Roosevelt Island Helix Ramp Pothole And Road Repairs Nightly Monday, April 25 Thru Friday, April 29 - Only One Lane Of Traffic, Expect Delays Says RIOC

Image Of Roosevelt Island Motorgate Helix From Above Via Google Maps

For the second consecutive week, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) will be doing late night emergency pothole and road repairs on the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix Ramp. According to RIOC:

Due to EMERGENCY pothole and road repairs the Helix Ramp will be reduced to one lane of traffic, beginning Monday, April 25th, 2016 thru Friday, April 29th, 2016 each evening from 9PM to 6AM. Expect delays.

PSD Officers and flag persons will be on site to direct traffic during these times, however extreme caution should be used when navigating this area.

Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

Emergency Roosevelt Island Helix Ramp Pothole And Road Repairs Nightly Tuesday, April 19 Thru Friday, April 22 - Only One Lane Of Traffic, Expect Delays Says RIOC

Image Of Roosevelt Island Motorgate Helix From Above Via Google Maps

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Due to EMERGENCY pothole and road repairs the Helix Ramp will be reduced to one lane of traffic, beginning Tuesday, April 19th, 2016 thru Friday, April 22nd, 2016 each evening from 10PM to 5AM. Expect delays.

PSD Officers and flag persons will be on site to direct traffic during these times, however extreme caution should be used when navigating this area.

Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

UPDATE 4/20 - RIOC reports that the Helix repair work will be done from 9PM - 6 AM:

Due to EMERGENCY pothole and road repairs the Helix Ramp will be reduced to one lane of traffic, beginning Tuesday, April 19th, 2016 thru Friday, April 22nd, 2016 each evening from 9PM to 6AM. Expect delays.

PSD Officers and flag persons will be on site to direct traffic during these times, however extreme caution should be used when navigating this area.

Thank you for your cooperation during this time.

Roosevelt Island Helix Emergency Pothole Repairs Thursday and Friday 6 PM to 3 AM, Traffic Reduced To One Lane During This Time - How Will Helix Handle Heavy Construction Trucks During Cornell NYC Tech Campus Construction?

 Image Of Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix

According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

Please be advised on Thursday, June 20th and Friday, June 21st the Roosevelt Island Helix will undergo emergency concrete pothole repair work. The work will be performed between the hours of 6:00 PM and 3:00 AM during which time, traffic entering and exiting the Island will be reduced to one lane. The work zone will be marked with signs. Flagmen and Public Safety officers will be on-site directing traffic and providing assistance throughout the scheduled maintenance. Orange traffic barrels and safety cones will be installed between the two lanes to channelize traffic. Motorist are urged to use caution while traveling near the work zone.

Sincerely,

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp Advisories Group

View Larger Map

Concerns have been raised about the impact of numerous, large, heavy construction trucks using the the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix during the construction of the Cornell NYC Tech campus. That question was asked to Cornell during the Community Board 8 ULURP review process. Here's the question and Cornell's answer:

... Q -How is the helix ramp leading from the bridge to the island going to be improved to handle the huge heavy truck traffic anticipated? What would be the impact if the ramp had to be closed for repairs? (Page 18)

A- No improvements to the helix are proposed as part of the project. As with any transportation facility, including local roads, highways, and bridges, necessary repair would be conducted with the appropriate maintenance and protection of traffic and pedestrian flows, subject to review and approval by the entity having jurisdiction over the facility, which in this case would be RIOC. Cornell will be complying with the reduced load limits on the bridge and helix as approved by DOT....

Cornell has promised to reduce the amount of truck traffic going over the Roosevelt Island Bridge and Helix by using more barges for transporting construction materials.

More information on the condition of the Roosevelt Island Helix available in this 2011 report by Liro Engineers commissioned by RIOC attached to 2013 RFP for Structural Evaluation and Engineering & Design Services for the renovation of the R.I. Helix Ramp.

Repaving Roosevelt Island Streets and Pothole Repair - Bye Bye Z Bricks

RIOC President Steve Shane responds to the following two comments by readers of this recent post on Roosevelt Island Pothole repair and street paving:

Who is in charge of fixing potholes on RI? The NYC DOT or the RIOC? Can I call 311 and report a pothole or do I have to call the RIOC?

And:

Bye, bye z-bricks. Little by little all the character is being sucked out of the Island.

From Mr. Shane:

Call RIOC to report potholes. We are responsible for fixing them, hence the present advisory about street closings for such repair program.

Repaving will ultimately do away with the z brick which are a constant source of problem and presently unreplaceable. We will continue their use in plazas.

Five years ago the RIOC Board set aside funds for the maintenance of the Z Bricks in their 5 year Capital Plan. The April 3, 2004 Main Street WIRE reported on this exchange between previous RIOC Board Director Ponton and RIOC President Berman concerning the Z Bricks.
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...RIOC President Herb Berman, responding to a question from resident Board member Mark Ponton, said that it is “absolutely not the case” that RIOC management has decided to discontinue maintenance of sections of Z-brick on the Island, and substitute asphalt or blacktop. Board Chair Mary BethLabate said the five-year capital plan includes funds for the higher cost of maintaining the Z-bricks....

Perhaps it is just not feasible to maintain the Z Bricks on Roosevelt Island streets any longer but what happened to those funds allocated during previous RIOC administration for Z Brick repairs in referenced 5 year capital plan? Were they spent and proved that Z Bricks on Roosevelt Island streets were not practicable?

Other interesting items from the 2004 RIOC Budget include:

• ...Certain items of Island infrastructure, in particular the street lighting, will be maintained in the future by the City when and if all elements are converted to the City standard.

• Discussion indicated that RIOC will retain some control over commercial uses of ground-floor space in Southtown buildings #3 and #4. Berman indicated attention would be paid to the concerns of competition in the Island’s micro-economy.
• In his President’s report, Berman said RIOC is hiring an elevator expert to develop and implement a permanent solution to the problem of frequent elevator outages and erratic operation at Motorgate....

Roosevelt Island Road Closure Advisories For Pothole Repairs and Repaving

According to RIOC:

Road Closure Advisory
Please be advised of the upcoming road closures and temporary re-routing for Main Street and Tramway Road.

1. Starting on Tuesday April 7, 2009, RIOC's Asphalt contractor will be on the island repairing potholes starting from Coler Hospitals main entrance to South Point tackling all necessary potholes, which will take place for the most part of the week. The contractor will have Flag Men to assist with the traffic, we will start after rush hour and try to finish before the evening rush.

2. Starting April 13, 2009, Hudson Related's Asphalt contractor for South Town will be Asphalting the top layer (Finish Coat) around South Town's New Main Street, Tram Roadway finishing to the West Drive, the work will take place throughout the week. Contractor will have Flag Men, the buses will have to be re routed for a day or two around Sports Park. We will have confirmation on which day the rerouting of the buses will occur by the 13th.

3. Also starting on Monday April 13,2009, RIOC�s contractor will be starting the Main Street Pavement Reconstruction from 40 River Road/ Main Street to the Octagon Soccer Field Comfort Station entrance. The traffic lanes will be reduced to one lane creating two way traffic on one lane with channelizing Devices and Flag Men during construction hours, during the evening only channelizing devices will be in place. This work will be performed in two halves, the first half will be on the North bound lane for two weeks and the second half will be on the south bound lane for an additional two weeks. During this work the 40 River Road bus stop will have to be relocated to accommodate the traffic flow.

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