Brooklyn Bridge's ‘Poor' Parts To Be Refurbished

The Brooklyn Bridge is getting a makeover that will refurbish the decrepit sections that earned it the same "poor" rating as the bridge that collapsed in Minnesota this summer.

The New York City Department of Transportation this week released a request for proposals to fix the ramps and approaches leading to the bridge that were the main cause of concern to inspectors who rated the century-old bridge.

"This work is to replace the part of the bridge that was rated poorly," a spokesman for the Department of Transportation, which oversees the bridge's maintenance, Chris Lawton, said.

He added: "These things do need to be replaced but they're not unsafe."

The decks of the ramps and approaches will be completely replaced, as will some joints and other components of the bridge that are deteriorating, the request for proposals said.

The bridge will also be getting a new paint job, according to the document, although contractors will be required to choose the same color because of the bridge's historical landmark status.

The department had previously released a request for proposals for the paint job, but was unable to find a contractor who would do the job for an amount within the agency's budget.

The request comes as work on the Manhattan Bridge's lower deck has been completed. Mr. Gilbride said the transportation department had been waiting to begin work on the Brooklyn Bridge so as not to clog traffic between Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Like other East River crossings, the bridge will also get a complete "seismic retrofitting" to strengthen its masonry towers and the approach arch spans. The retrofitting is designed to help the Brooklyn Bridge withstand large movements beyond the rumble of traffic crossing its span, including vibrations from an earthquake.

Work on the project is due to begin in 2009 and end in 2013.