By Carol P. Bartold     

Jul. 22, 2015:  Village Administrator Jim Palmer reported that although work on the Parkway Road Bridge, which has been closed for two years, continues, he cannot project a date for the bridge's reopening. "I can say that the progress is on schedule and moving along," he said. 

Palmer reported to the Bronxville Board of Trustees at its July 13 meeting that contractors have removed a significant amount of paint from the existing steel beams. 

Discovery of the deterioration of several of the bridge's supportive steel beams during a regular inspection led the New York State Department of Transportation to close the bridge in July of 2013. 

Measurements for new replacement steel beams have been taken and fabrication for those beams is under way, per Palmer. 

Much of the bridge's deteriorated roadway deck has also been removed. 

Parkway Road resident James Kroulas spoke to the board to request that the village form a plan to calm and control traffic when the bridge is re-opened. He suggested that a temporary speed bump or temporary signage could be installed. 

"Essentially, the street is a dead-end street," Kroulas said. "I think you could have a three-month window where traffic on the street could be 25 to 30 miles per hour." Kroulas stated that, during the time the street has been a dead end, neighborhood children have had it for play. 

In May, Parkway Road residents Lorraine Izzo and Bindu Nair asked the board to consider designating the street as one way, south to north, after the bridge is re-opened in an effort to calm through-traffic. 

Kroulas pointed out that, during the two-year bridge closure, traffic turning from Midland Avenue onto Parkway Road to access the Bronx River Parkway has often traveled to the left of the street's double yellow line. "I think there will be issues there because of the extended time the traffic hasn't been normal," Kroulas said. 

"You're right," Mayor Mary Marvin said. "Some transition for what's now a cul-de-sac will be needed." 

Marvin indicated that the board will discuss safety issues surrounding the re-opening of the Parkway Road bridge with Bronxville Police Chief Christopher Satriale. 

The Bronxville Board of Trustees will not meet in August. The next meeting will be on Monday, September 14, at 8:00 pm in the trustees room at Bronxville Village Hall.

Pictured here:  Parkway Road bridge under reconstruction.

Photo by A. Warner