By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
INWOOD — Upper Manhattan residents will soon have a more scenic way to reach the Bronx than the Broadway Bridge when the lower level of the Henry Hudson Bridge reopens on Friday after three years of construction.
Since early 2007, pedestrians and commuters have been unable to walk across the bridge, which connects Inwood Hill Park to the Bronx neighborhoods of Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale, because of an $86 million project that has completely renovated the Depression-era bridge.
During the three-year construction time frame, the bridge’s Manhattan-bound lanes were permanently closed while the original lower level roadway decking was replaced and the foundation for the north lane foundation completely renovated.
“This was a very complicated and rewarding project,” said Walter Hickey, a Henry Hudson Facility Engineer, said in a public statement.
Amy Cooper, 27, a pediatric physical therapist who has lived in Washington Heights for five years, is a member of the Inwood Hill Runners, a running group formed to keep neighborhood runners safe in Inwood Hill Park. The group will likely run across the bridge this Saturday during one of its weekly runs.
She said the detour forced the group to run over the Broadway Bridge and through Marble Hill, which presented a set of challenging hills in its path.
“I suppose the hills aren't a bad thing,” she said, “but the detour requires a lot more street running than just taking the bridge, which means a lot more stop-and-go-running.”
MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Jim Ferrara said that despite the inconvenience to Upper Manhattan residents, the three-year project was necessary to ensure the continued longevity of the structure for decades to come.
“We know that construction work can be disruptive and we greatly appreciate our customers’ patience,” he said.
