ROOSEVELT ISLAND — Nearly $3 million for a bike-only ramp on the Roosevelt Island bridge has been set aside by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo announced a total of $112.2 million in funding for transportation enhancements across New York State on Wednesday, including nearly $3 million for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation to construct the ramp on the connector between the island and Queens.
Residents have been trying to get the project off the ground for three years.
The grant will fund up to 80 percent of the project, which was selected from 81 bids, officials said.
The construction timeline has yet to be determined since the RIOC hasn't finalized the paperwork for the grant yet, according to spokeswoman Jessica Murray.
"RIOC is very excited to be able to provide a safe path for cyclists and we look forward to seeing this and other improvements to Roosevelt Island come to fruition," she said in an email.
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney said that the community has been waiting a long time for the ramp to provide a safe connection for bikers.
"Cyclists will no longer have to carry their bikes up flights of stairs, or risk their safety by sharing the helix ramp with cars," she said in a statement. "It's great that the state, federal government and community are working together to make Roosevelt Island a safer, more accessible place."
RIOC released preliminary drawings of the ramp, seen here:
Credit: Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation