Transit Authority
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Q: What is happening at the Steinway Street overpass along the Grand Central? Is the new bridge there permanent or part of a project?
A: What created the need for construction of a new overpass was a ghastly accident last July 23. A 60-ton block of concrete fell from the Steinway Street overpass in Astoria, Queens, injuring a driver and destroying his van.
The 67-year-old overpass was closed and a forensic-engineering firm, Weidlinger Associates, was hired by the city’s Department of Transportation to investigate the bridge’s failure, according to documents obtained from the agency. The bridge is divided into three sections, all of which are being rebuilt.
The two-lane bridge that has been in use along Steinway Street since January 10 is temporary, and it is currently available only to northbound traffic.
The temporary section will be used for approximately 14 months as the other sections are rebuilt, according to the city documents. Upon the completion of those two sections, the temporary bridge will be removed and work will begin on a permanent section in its place.
Weidlinger Associates is continuing to investigate the cause of the collapse.
