Doing business around Hunts Point? The NYS DOT’s Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project is now open for review and comment. The DOT is seeking input about making it easier to go between the Hunts Point Market and the Bruckner Expressway. The full project may be viewed here. The comment period ends on July 27th.
There are two concepts for direct access to the Hunts Point Market. Concept 1 will provide access at Edgewater Road and Leggett Avenue. Concept 2 will provide access at Oak Point Avenue and Leggett Avenue. The price tag on concept 1 is almost $1 billion less than concept 2, so concept 1 will probably prevail. This project will be done in conjunction with the converting of the Sheridan Expressway to a boulevard that was announced back in April (The Bronx is Building).
The complete improvement of the Hunts Point area is long overdue and the DOT deserves credit for both their proposals and outreach. They should not stop with redesigns, however. Allowing 53 foot trailers on the Bruckner would make life far easier for the out of state carriers who serve the Hunts Point Market. Larger trucks may mean less truck trips thereby reducing congestion and emissions. This renovation is also an excellent opportunity for either the state or New York City to create an overnight truck parking facility. Such a facility would get the trucks off the local roads and allow drivers to get an early start on their deliveries. That would reduce congestion during the morning rush and help NYC DOT meet its overnight delivery goals. If structured correctly, an overnight truck parking facility could even be a source of revenue for the city, state, or MTA.
Between the Sheridan’s redevelopment and the ongoing problems with Hunts Point access, industry input is crucial. Please email comments and concerns to HuntsPoint@dot.ny.gov or send written submissions to:
Hunts Point Project Team
NYSDOT
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
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