According to New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials, the extensive project to replace the half-mile long Roslyn Viaduct is now under way.

Spanning Hempstead Harbor on NYS Route 25A in the Town of North Hempstead, the state-of-the-art bridge is being constructed to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and truck drivers. Construction of the $127 million project is expected to last 30 months.

The new viaduct will feature two full travel lanes and a shoulder in each direction along with a sidewalk on the south side. It will also feature nine spans and eight piers, compared to the current bridge, which has 15 spans and 14 piers. In addition, grass parkland is being created under the bridge between Bedell's Landing and Roslyn Creek and additional parking spaces are being provided as part of the project.

DOT officials note that other project features include roadway run off drainage improvements, retaining walls, street lighting, landscaping, and extensive improvements on the NYS Route 25A approaches to the viaduct and the ramps adjacent to the structure, which serves the Village of Roslyn.

The Roslyn Viaduct was originally constructed in 1949. The replacement of the bridge will address DOT's concerns regarding the long-term structural integrity of this aging bridge, and its outmoded design including lack of shoulders, poor sight distance for motorists approaching the bridge from the west and on the ramps, inadequate acceleration and deceleration lane lengths.

In order to demolish and reconstruct the new bridge, traffic flow across the viaduct will be maintained on three travel lanes during the major phase of construction, which is expected to begin in spring 2006.

Reversible lanes will be used during peak travel periods to minimize the impact of construction on motorists and residents, with two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane available during the morning peak travel period through the afternoon (6 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and, two eastbound lanes and one westbound lane available during the evening peak travel period (3 p.m. to 10 p.m.).

During the overnight period between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., the center lane will be closed and a single travel lane will be available in each direction. DOT officials claim that "extensive efforts to monitor and limit vibrations" will be made and there are restrictions on nighttime construction to minimize the impact on residents who live in close proximity to the viaduct.

To offset roadway incidents and help assure traffic flow, a 24/7 traffic monitoring/surveillance system, 24-hour towing service to remove disabled vehicles, coordination with emergency services, and an emergency control response office are being provided by the DOT during peak travel times when the reversible lanes are in effect.

Since 1999, the Roslyn Viaduct Bridge Task Force, comprised of local officials and representatives, worked closely with the DOT during the conceptual stages of the bridge design and assisted with identifying many issues that are important to the surrounding community to help promote the safety of the traveling public and facilitate future residential and business development.

In an effort to continue community involvement, a Community Outreach office is available to provide updated information to area residents and businesses regarding construction status of the Roslyn Viaduct Replacement project. The Roslyn Viaduct Community Outreach office phone number is 1-877-4VIADUCT (484-2382).