Image of Half Open Bridge From The Onion
Received the following notice regarding the temporary closure of the Roosevelt Island Bridge.
ATTENTION
ROOSEVELT ISLAND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION CLOSURE
APRIL 15 17, 21 & 22, 2009
FROM 12:30 A.M. TO 5:30 A.M.
THE TRAM AND THE F TRAIN WILL BE OPERATIONAL DURING THAT TIME FRAME
THE MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT Q102 BUS FROM QUEENS WILL OPERATE ON A MODIFIED SCHEDULE, WITH NO SERVICE TO ROOSEVELT ISLAND BETWEEN THE HOURS OF
12:30 A.M. AND 5:30 A.M.
PLEASE NOTE THIS CLOSURE SCHEDULE IS PER THE D.O.T.
RIOC President Steve Shane provides additional information in his April 6 RIOC Report.
36th Avenue Bridge: On April 1, we met with representatives of Skanska and DOT to discuss mandatory bridge closings to replace buffers and cables. They are not kidding. The Bridge will be closed the nights of April 15 & 16 (and if it rains on either, then also on the 17th) between the hours of 12:30AM and 5:30AM. No vehicles will be able to cross during that time. A similar closing is scheduled for June 29 & 30. We are coordinating with emergency services to station fire, police and EMS responders on Island and to plan for transport and response if necessary. We will run the Tram during the period of closure to make sure that there is access and egress. We have lived through this situation before, are well aware of the potential difficulty and will do our best to mitigate the disruption. PLEASE MAKE PLANS ACCORDINGLY.
The complete closure of the Roosevelt Island Bridge could cause serious difficulties to sick or injured residents who need emergency assistance during this time period. Mr. Shane addresses that issue in an email message sent to Roosevelt Island media:
You have all received a copy of the DOT Notice of Bridge Closure.
1. It is absolutely necessary.
2. The Fire Department will station an engine (pumper) and a ladder truck on the Island during the outage to respond to any emergencies. In addition, there will be a fireboat available to deliver additional personnel if a big emergency occurs. An engine company (with 5 firemen) will be at the Vernon Ave. end of the Bridge to provide additional bodies as needed.
3. The Fire Dept. (EMS) will station an ambulance on the Island and an ambulance at the Vernon Ave end of the bridge. In the event of a medical emergency, the victim will be treated and taken to the RI end of the bridge and conveyed on a gurney to the other side where the other ambulance will be waiting to transport. In addition to the 4 EMS persons, there will be the 5 firemen there to assist. If the bridge is completely impassable (one of the procedures will require it to be 6′-8′ above the connecting streets), then transport will have to be by Tram to a waiting ambulance on Manhattan side.
4. RIOC will run the Tram all night on 1/2 hour intervals (except in emergency) with the Red bus to match up. The Subway (F Train) should be available.
5.Only 2 nights are needed, and if the weather permits, the later nights will not be required. Steelworkers union contract and OSHA rules do not permit workers on exposed iron surfaces at heights when it is raining.
6. NYPD is also likely to station a squad car on the Island to assist.
We have coordinated all of this with NYPD, NYFD, EMS, DOT, HHC, etc. A necessary evil, but we should get through it. Please try to quell the hysterics.
After the jump more on the history of the Roosevelt Island Bridge including what happened a previous time the Bridge got stuck in an open position. Read More!
