CORONA — A historic bridge built for the 1939 World's Fair — without much work done to it since 1964 — is set to undergo a $125 million reconstruction, according to the Parks Department.
The Passarelle bridge — which crosses over the Long Island Rail Road tracks and connects pedestrians between the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park's tennis stadiums, the subway, and Citi Field — will get the long-awaited overhaul with capital funds, officials said.
It follows a $1.5 million study conducted by the city to determine the status of the more than 1,110-foot path.
It was built as the main entrance to the 1939 World's Fair, and was renovated for the 1964 World's Fair. But the crossway, which carries thousands of pedestrians year-round, is long overdue for renovations, officials said.
While conducting its study on the bridge the Department of Design and Construction found steel elements to be "beyond repair," and emergency repairs were made, according to Parks officials.
It's not clear when the multi-million dollar renovations will begin, but the project will firm up the foundation, bring in new steel framing, add a new concrete deck and improved lights and railing.
The project will be overseen by the DDC.
The Passarelle renovation is one of many capital projects being completed and scheduled for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, officials said.
Since 2014, they've completed nine capital projects at a cost of $36.8 million, with two more in progress, according to the Parks Department.
