Randall's/Wards Island Bridge Open 365 Days A Year After $ 16. 8 Mil. Renovation

Open For Business. The Wards Island Bridge - also known as the 103rd Street Footbridge - opened on Friday morning after a long-awaited two-year, $ 16.8 million makeover. The pedestrian bridge is a vital link from East Harlem and the Upper Eastside to Wards and Randall's Island. For many decades the bridge's middle section - which lifts to allow ships to pass under it - was kept raised for five months of the year. The public's limited access had been a major source of contention in the community for years. The bridge will now be open year-round. New security measures accompany the renovated bridge's new hours. (Photos: © Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on image to enlarge.

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

East Side waterfront park users have much to celebrate as a much beloved pedestrian bridge has been newly restored with greatly expanded access.

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito announced the re-opening of the Wards Island pedestrian bridge on Friday, marking the completion of a long awaited $16.8 million infrastructure project to rehabilitate a vital pedestrian and bicycle link from East Harlem and the Upper Eastside to Wards and Randall's Island.

A Welcome Sight. Ward's Island Bridge looking West towards East Harlem. For decades the bridge was being closed from late October to Spring. It will now be open 365 days.

As part of the project, which began in June 2010, the contractor replaced the bridge’s existing grid deck on the lift span and 12 bridge bearings, overhauled the bridge’s electrical control system and performed repairs to deteriorating parts of the bridge according to the DOT. Work included installing new ADA compliant railings, new pedestrian fencing, new guard rails, and 25 new lights.

A number of new security measures were also put in place. Two NYPD ARGUS and Department of Transportation cameras with zoom functions were installed. The high-tech cameras feed live video into the Lower Manhattan Security Coordination Center. An emergency call box was also installed at the foot of the bridge on the Ward's Island side.

A number of landscape improvements were also made around the bridge and a long-out-of-service water fountain was also replaced.

Access Denied. The bridge's closing for 5 months of the year was a major source of contention.

For many decades the bridge's middle section - which lifts to allow ships to pass under it - was kept raised for five months of the year. The public's limited access had been a major source of contention in the community for years. The bridge will now be open year-round, the first time in at least thirty years.

“Despite being so close to Manhattan, Ward’s Island and Randall’s Island have been inaccessible for far too long," said Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito.

"This bridge reopens vital parkland for East Harlem residents and will allow many more New Yorkers to take advantage of sports fields, picnic grounds, and spectacular views of New York City. This bridge will now be open year-round, no longer limiting access to the park during the winter," she said.

“Wards Island has been a great backyard for thousands of New Yorkers, who live just a few thousand feet from here. But up until now, it’s been very difficult to access,” said Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. "It’s been a bridge too far for pedestrians."

$1.5 million in funding came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

A big celebration begins today at 10:00am.

The Wards Island Bridge - also known as the 103rd Street Footbridge - opened on May 18, 1951 and was completed at a cost of $2.1 million. The pedestrian bridge crosses the Harlem River between Manhattan and Wards Island.

Designed by master bridge engineer Othmar Hermann Ammann (March 26, 1879 – September 22, 1965) who is remarkably responsible for more than half of the bridges that connect the City to the mainland. The architecture and engineering firm founded by Mr. Ammann, Ammann & Whitney, provided services for this project.

Opening Up The Bridge. On Friday morning contractors tended to last minute details including removing the construction fencing and caution tape on the Manhattan side.

The 103rd Street Footbridge — also known as the Wards Island Bridge — as it looked while under construction in 1950. It reopened on Friday after a $16.8 million renovation. (Photo: NY Daily News file)

NYPD's Argus system of wireless cameras are housed in large white boxes and are clearly marked with the NYPD insignia. They are set about 20 feet off the ground across the span of bridge. The cameras first began appearing in the City in 2006 and have captured hundreds images used to help investigators, police said.

"The cameras have proven to be an important law enforcement tool to deter crime and investigate past crimes," said Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, the NYPD's chief spokesman.

On Friday, Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan were joined by contractors for the opening of the $ 16. 8 million dollar project. (Photos: © Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates)

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Footbridge linking East Harlem to Randalls Island to re-open after 2-year, $16.8M makeover Will afford 24/7 pedestrian access to island for first time in 30 years

New York Daily News - June 1, 2012 - By Douglas Feinden

NYC DOT Commissioner and Council Member Mark-Viverito Reopen Wards Island Bridge

DOT Press Release - June 1, 2012

Ward's Island pedestrian footbridge set to re-open

WABC - May 21, 2012

Randall's/Ward's Island Foot Bridge Opening Year-Round

A Walk In The Park - May 8, 2012 - By Geoffrey Croft

Randall's/Ward's Island Foot Bridge Opening Year-Round

Access Granted. The Wards Island foot bridge, located at E. 103rd Street in East Harlem connects Manhattan to Wards/Randall's Island. For many decades the bridge's middle section - which lifts to allow ships to pass under it - was kept raised for five months of the year. The public's limited access has been a major source of contention in the community for years. When the bridge reopens on June 1st, it will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first time in at least three decades. New security measures will also accompany the renovated bridge's new hours. (Photos: © Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates)

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

East Side waterfront park users will soon have much to celebrate as a beloved pedestrian bridge has been newly restored with promises of greatly expanded access.

The Ward's Island foot bridge, located at E. 103rd Street along the East River will soon be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first time in at least three decades. This is welcome news. For decades the public has been denied access for five months of the year because the bridge remained closed from late October through the middle of March. This has been a major source of contention in the community.

The bridge's closing for 5 months of the year was a major source of contention. (Click on images to enlarge.)

The bridge has undergone a $ 15- 17 million renovation using TARP funds. Work included replacing the deteriorated walkway deck, upgrading electrical and mechanical systems, making ADA improvements, and installing new safety fencing.

A number of new security measures will be accompanying the newly renovated bridge. The Department of Transportation has installed a number of high-tech cameras with zoom functions that will be monitored off-site, 24/7 by the NYPD according to City sources. An emergency call box has also been installed on the Ward's Island side.

The footbridge leads directly into the southern end of Wards Island Park which has recently been transformed with playing fields and a scenic waterfront that includes bike paths and landscape areas.

At only 12 foot wide and 857 feet long, the slender footbridge leads directly into the South West end of Wards Island Park which has recently been transformed with playing fields, (artificial turf) and a scenic waterfront including bike paths and landscape areas.

A big celebration is planned for June 2 beginning at 10:00am.

Its middle section lifts to allow ships to pass under it. The U.S. Coast Guard recently changed its policy and will now allow the bridge span to remain permanently in its down position. Under the old policy a DOT worker had to be escorted twice a day by two NYPD officers - once in the morning to lower the bridge and again at night to raise it.

The bridge has also had its fifteen minutes of fame. It was covered in yellow vinyl for a cameo as part of the “yellow brick road” for the 1978 film The Wiz, starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, and directed by Sidney Lumet. (If you blink at 1:04-1:06 into the movie's official trailer you will miss it) The bridge has also been featured in numerious tv shows from the 70's, mostly police dramas.

Providing Increased Access To The Island

A local law of 1949 authorized the construction of the footbridge. It was built by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was completed at a cost of $2.1 million. The bridge opened to pedestrians on May 18, 1951.

The 12 foot wide, 857 feet long footbridge offers panoramic views.

It was opened to bicycles in 1967 and is reportedly the City's only permanent bridge dedicated solely to pedestrians and bicycles.

Designed by master bridge engineer Othmar Hermann Ammann (March 26, 1879 – September 22, 1965) who is remarkably responsible for more than half of the bridges that connect the City to the mainland.

In 1933, Mr. Ammann became chief engineer for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. He guided the construction of many of New York's signature bridges, including the George Washington Bridge, Triborough, the Henry Hudson, the Bronx-Whitestone, and the Marine Parkway bridges. He was also responsible for managing the building of the Lincoln Tunnel. In addition, he sat on the Board of Engineers in charge of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. He collaborated on some of the best-known American bridges, including the Verrazano-Narrows, the Delaware Memorial, and the Walt Whitman bridges.

"In bridge designing, the aesthetics are quite as important as engineering details. It is a crime to build an ugly bridge, " said Swiss-born and educated civil engineer and designer Othmar Hermann Ammann who immigrated to New York City in 1904.

In 1964, Amman was awarded the National Medal of Science from President Lyndon Johnson, the first time the medal was given to a civil engineer.

A number of years ago Ammann's daughter, Margot Durrer, told this author that the 103rd Street Bridge was his favorite.

In 2003 the Parks Department dedicated the Othmar Ammann Playground in his honor. The playground is located in the shadow of the Tri-borough Bridge on E. 124th Street between 1st/2nd Avenues in Manhattan.

After the American Revolution the area was called Great Barn Island. It was owned by Jasper and Bartholomew Ward and was used for farmland. Bartholomew Ward built the first known bridge to the island in 1807, and in 1855 he sold his land to the city.

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American Society Of Civil Engineers

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Poster announcing the 103rd Street Footbridge reopening event.

$ 1 Million Contract Awarded For Ward Island's Wind, Solar and Tidal Project

Wards Island. A conceptual rendering of the locations of the planned 100 kW wind turbine (top left) solar kiosk, (left above) and tidal turbines (below bottom) that are expected to be installed off the south shore of Wards Island. (Images: Preliminary conceptual designs by Natural Currents Energy Services, LLC. via DNAinfo)

A $990,000.00 construction contract was awarded last week to Natural Energy Services, LLC, to build the first hybrid renewable energy installation that utilizes solar, wind and tidal components. The project has a public education and training element that is an integral component. The entire project was funded by a $990,000 grant from the US Department of Energy and $1.4 million from the city. - Geoffrey Croft

Randall's Island

Randall’s Island’s baseball diamonds could soon be powered by the sun, wind and waves as the city moves forward with a long-awaited hybrid energy plant.

A $1 million contract to build the city's “first hybrid renewable energy installation” that will combine solar, wind and tidal energy in a unique demonstration-scale innovation center was quietly announced last week, according to a DNAinfo article.

“We are very eager to get rolling on it," said Roger Bason, president of Natural Currents Energy Services, the company that is behind the effort to build the center on Randall's Island.

"It’s been in the planning stages for many years.”

Bason said the project will include three components.

Solar, Wind and Tidal Energy Coming to Randall's Island. A conceptual rendering of the 100 kW wind turbine that is expected to be installed on the island.

The first, set to be completed by Sept. 2012, will be a solar kiosk which will operate as a marine research center and information center for visitors to the island..

In addition to powering its own operation, the kiosk's roof-mounted solar panels are intended to produce enough power to charge a handful of electric vehicles for more than 700,000 yearly visitors to see in action, he said.

Next, the team will install a wind turbine underneath the Robert F. Kennedy (formerly Triborough) Bridge. The turbine, which will be within view of both Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side and sections of Astoria, Queens, is slated for completion by April 2013, he said.

Finally, the team will add a tidal turbine to harness the power of the movement of the East River's strong tides. The turbine will be housed in a 30-by-60-foot barge, which will float about 50 meters offshore, he said.

The wind and tidal installations are expected to produce about 200 kW of energy — enough to power about 100 homes. On the island, the energy will likely be used to power lights and facilities like ball fields, Bason said.

In addition to showing off renewable energy to visitors, the project is also intended to produce research about how different green energy sources can work together.

“They work in sequence," he explained. "The tide turns on a certain pattern, the wind is very intermittent, the sun runs on a schedule.... All of this is cutting edge."

The project, which is being partially funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the city's Parks Department, was originally approved under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, but has been delayed for years.

“Now it looks like the stars are all lining up," Bason said of the project, which he hopes can be replicated here and in other cities.

“Hopefully, it’s a model that can be replicated throughout the world for seeing how these systems work together and get the public excited," he said.

The city also recently began moving forward with plans to install a large solar and wind energy facility on 75 acres of land at the former Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island that could generate enough electricity to power as many as 6,000 homes.

Wards Island Tidal Energy Project. A tidal turbine installed installed off the south shore of Wards Island, in the Hell Gate Waterway near the junction of the Harlem River, East River, and Long Island Sound, will harness the power of the tides, helping to generate electricity.

Read More:

Solar, Wind and Tidal Energy to Power Randall's Island

DNAinfo - March 26, 2012 - By Jill Colvin

Wind reigns at city's green 'power park'

New York Post - October 14, 2009 - By Jeremy Olshan