Dumbo NYC

The Department of Transportation sent us a notice regarding the Washington Street underpass construction that has been going on since last weekend. They are adding a “protective coating of Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Bridges”:

The New York City Department of Transportaion Division of Bridges will commence protective coating operations on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) Bridges over Washington Street. The existing protective coating will be cleaned and/or removed through abrasive blasting techniques. A new, epoxy-zinc protective coating system will be applied to all steel superstructures.

The contractor will close the northbound lane of Washington Street at the BQE, along with the adjacent sidewalk, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily for approximately two weeks. The portion of the bike-lane in the vicinity of the bridge will also be closed. Two-way traffic will be maintained one lane in each direction, utilizing flaggers. At the end of each shift, the street will be restored to two way operation. The southbound lane and the sidewalk will remain open. After completion of the work on the northbound lane, the contactor will switch to the southbound lane. Concrete barriers, appropriate advanced signs and pavement markings will be installed to maintain the safe flow of traffic in the vicinity of the work area. Work on the BQE Bridge over Washington Street is expected to be completed on or before August 31st.

Throughout this phase of work, the contractor may also close one lane on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in either direction, to permit the installation of paint containment units while maintaining the remaining lanes of traffic at all times. These lanes closures will occur only between the hours of 12:01 AM and 5:00 AM.

In July 2007, a new noise code went into effect in New York City. The new law establishes important rules, guidelines and standards for governing noise in NYC which include construction activities. To limit construction noise, all construction activity will be undertaken in accordance with the noise mitigation plan for this project. Additional information regarding this and any other part of this project is available by contacting Community Liaison Fred Herschkowitz at 212-839- 6307. You may also visit the NYCDOT website at www.nyc.gov/dot. You also may request information by calling the New York City Government Services and Information Hotline at 311.