Westchester County Department of Public Works

The Bronx River Parkway (BRP) is a major north-south transportation artery in southern Westchester County. The BRP is on the National Highway System and the northernmost portions, including the project area, are on the National Register of Historic Places. Approximately midway on this route in Westchester are two interconnected bridges that cross the Bronx River and the MTA Metro-North Railroad. Located immediately south of Exit 12 (Crane Road) in Scarsdale, and straddling the Greenburgh/Scarsdale municipal border, the two connected bridges are referred to as a single structure known as the Crane Road Bridge (or Viaduct).

To see the progress we've made in replacing the bridge, browse our photo gallery.

History
Built in 1924, the Crane Road Bridge was designed by one of New York’s premier architectural firms, Delano & Aldrich, who designed many historic structures, including the Marine Air Terminal at LaGuardia Airport and Kykuit, the Rockefeller family estate in Sleepy Hollow, NY. The bridge’s circular concrete piers, covered with rustic stone, are reminiscent of a clutch of mushrooms supporting a bridge deck curving gently around Scarsdale Lake, over the Bronx River and the adjacent Metro-North railroad, and through the Bronx River Parkway Reservation. The connected bridges have deteriorated and require rehabilitation or replacement.

Questions or comments about the project
If you have any questions or comments, submit them online. We have created a list of frequently asked questions for your reference.

You may also subscribe to receive updates on the progess of the bridge's repairs.

Project updates and latest information: Work completed.

On the afternoon of Friday, September 4, prior to Labor Day weekend, the Bronx River Parkway was restored to full operational in the vicinity of the Crane Road Bridge. The mainline roadway was restored to two lanes in each direction and the entrance ramp from Pipeline/Aqueduct Road to the SB Bronx River Parkway was also reopened.  In addition, both northbound and southbound Exit 12 Ramps to Crane Road were reopened.

As of October 21, 2015 the Parkland restoration/tree plantings have been substantially completed and the Bronx River Parkway Reservation Pathway reopened to the public.  This includes the new sidewalk on the bridge over the Metro-North Railroad and the ramp that accesses the Pathway and the southbound (inbound) railroad platform.

Thank you for your consideration and understanding as we have worked towards a successful completion of this project.

Read the latest updates about road closures.

The project commenced construction in June 2012 and is expected to be substantially completed in August 2015.

Construction activities currently taking place or occurring soon include:

• Finalization of asphalt plug joints
• Landscaping in the vicinity of Pipeline (Aqueduct Road)
• Tree plantings - to begin this fall due to seasonal restrictions

Construction activities substantially completed:

• Installation of new stone masonry
• Installation of guiderail, signs and pavement markings
• Restriction to one lane of traffic in each direction
• Closure of northbound Exit 12
• Closure of the southbound entrance from Pipeline (Aqueduct Road)
• Asphalt paving
• Bridge deck waterproofing
• Installation of old stone masonry salvaged from the old structures
• Construction of the Phase 4 abutment wall and bridge seat for the Middle Abutment
• Construction of the Phase 4 abutment wall and bridge seat for the North Abutment
• Construction of the Phase 4 (northerly) Wing Wall for the North Abutment
• Installation of the Phase 4 pre-cast box beams over the Metro-North Railroad
• Demolition of the bridge over the Metro-North Railroad
• Excavation for footings at the north and middle abutments
• Construction of the west abutment soldier pile wing wall
• Installation of watermain joint rings on the 48" watermain under the SB BRP
• Removal of the old mushroom bridge over the Bronx River
• Shift of traffic onto the new bridge
• Paving and installation of bridge joints in the northbound direction
• Demolition of the existing mushroom bridge (day)
• Local street and ramp paving
• Installation of concrete median barrier
• Installation of guiderail/fencing on the east fascia
• Installation of the concrete deck for all 6 piers
• Concrete encasement of structural steel for all 6 piers
• Installation of steel cores, bracket arms and edge Beams for all 6 piers
• Installation of the phase 1 concrete deck over the Metro-North Railroad
• Installation of 12 (of 19) pre-stressed floor beams over the Metro-North Railroad
• Construction of the pedestrian ramp to the Bronx River Parkway Reservation Pathway and the MNR southbound train platform
• Construction of footings for all piers
• Construction of the South Abutment
• Construction of the West Abutment (Phase 1)
• Installation of drilled "H" Piles for the West Abutment (Phase 1)
• Installation of Micro-Piles for the South Abutment
• Construction of the North Abutment (Phase 1)
• Construction of the Middle Abutment (Phase 1)
• Relining of the 54” trunk sewer (beneath the Bronx River)
• Joint repairs to the 48" watermain (under Pipeline Road & BRP – Phase 1)

County traffic signals are listed below by municipality.

The Ashford Avenue Bridge connects the Villages of Ardsley and Dobbs Ferry. It traverses the Saw Mill River, Saw Mill River Parkway, South County Trailway and the New York State Thruway. On Dec. 14, 2015 the project has been awarded to EE Cruz & Company, Inc. in the amount of $17,902,768. The construction phase commenced on Jan. 4, 2016 and will be completed by Sept. 20, 2018. Review the list of frequently asked questions.

The bridge, built in 1950, carries 20,170 vehicles per day (2012 volumes). The 33-month project will be broken into three primary stages plus a pre-stage.  During stages one and two, Ashford Avenue will be reduced from four lanes [two lanes in each direction] to two lanes [one lane in each direction]. During stages one and two, there will be limited periods of overnight construction when steel and piers are removed and subsequently installed over the Saw Mill River Parkway and New York State Thruway. In order to reduce the duration of full-time lane reductions on Ashford Avenue, pre-stage activities will occur with off-peak lane closures on Ashford Avenue.

In addition, the entrance and exit ramp to the Northbound (NB) Saw Mill River Parkway (SMRP) will be closed during the pre-stage and remain closed in stage one and two.  In stage three, the NB entrance and exit ramps will be reopened and all four lanes should once again be available in peak periods.

Project Update: Work completed.

On Monday March 14, 2016, Exit 17, from the Northbound Saw Mill River Parkway to Ashford Avenue was closed for long term construction.  Also closing was the entrance from Ashford Avenue to the Northbound Saw Mill River Parkway. Detours are posted utilizing Route 9A (Saw Mill River Road) and Lawrence Street. In addition, multiple Variable Message Signs (VMS) were installed to notify motorist of the ramp closures. The northbound entrance and exit ramps for the Saw Mill River Parkway will reopen early in Stage 3, after the bridge has been restored to 2 lanes in each direction.

Currently the Ashford Avenue Bridge Projects is in Stage 2.  An overview of the construction stages is as follows:

• Pre-Stage – Began on Jan. 4, 2016 and ran until June 15 2016.  During the Pre-Stage there were midday lane closures (generally from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM) on Ashford Avenue for off-structure utility relocations.   The closure of the northbound entrance & exit ramps to Ashford Avenue occured in the pre-stage, along with the demolition of the ramps.
• Stage 1 began on June 15, 2016 and ran until May 3, 2017. During Stage 1, the south half of the Ashford Avenue Bridge was demolished and replaced.  During this time there will be one lane of traffic in each direction on Ashford Avenue with no access to/from the Northbound Saw Mill River Parkway.
• Stage 2 began on May 4, 2017 and lasts approximately 1 year. During Stage 2, the north half of the Ashford Avenue Bridge will be demolished and replaced.  During this time there will be lane of traffic in each direction on Ashford Avenue with no access to/from the Northbound Saw Mill River Parkway. 
• Stage 3 began on January 12, 2018. During Stage 3, the Ashford Avenue Bridge has been restored to two lanes in each direction during peak periods with  remaining work restricted to midday or overnight periods.  The restoration of the interchange (exit/entrance ramps) with the Northbound Saw Mill River Parkway, occurred on February 6, 2018 of 2018. Single lane closures during off-peak hours are possible until the completion of the project by the Summer of 2018.

Project Evolution

In June 2012, some concrete fell from the bridge on to the thruway below.  In response to that, County Executive Robert P. Astorino immediately ordered additional inspections of the bridge, initiated a $1.5 million capital project amendment to address the bridge's immediate needs and organized an effort to expedite the $24 million (includes design, construction, construction inspection and right-of-way acquisition) long-term capital project for the bridge's rehabilitation.

Questions or comments about the project

If you have any questions or comments, submit them online. We have created a list of frequently asked questions for your reference. You may also subscribe to receive updates on the progess of the bridge's repairs.

Publications associated with this project are listed below.

Eminent Domain Procedure Law Republic Hearing

In accordance with, Article 2 of the New York Eminent Domain Procedure Law ("EDPL"), a public hearing was held on May 20, 2013 for the proposed public project (PIN 8760.92) to rehabilitate the Ashford Avenue Bridge (BIN 5348380) which is located within the Villages of Ardsley and Dobbs Ferry and situated over the Saw Mill River Parkway, South County Trailway, Elm Street, the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and the Saw Mill River, and the public project to rehabilitate the entrance and exit ramp between Ashford Avenue to the northbound Saw Mill River (BIN 534838A). Below are the Exhibits from this public hearing, and comments received and the County's responses.

Before starting any construction project, be sure to obtain the required permits.

The county requires building approvals prior to any construction project on or adjacent to county property. The county also requires road permits prior to any construction, repair, maintenance or alteration of any drainage, sewer, water pipe, conduit or serviceable item which is on, above or underneath any county road or its right-of-way.

Firms, individuals, corporations, improvement districts or municipalities must file completed, notarized permit applications through the Westchester County Public Works office.

Verify county-owned facilities, roadways and other infrastructures through the County's Planning Department.

Building Approval Forms

• Building Approval Cover Letter and Instructions
• Building Approval Form (Prints on legal-sized paper only.)
• Toll Period Waiver Form
• Intersection Sight Distance Requirement Form

Road Permit Forms

• Road Permit Cover Letter and Instructions
  Road Permit Insurance Requirements (Residential)
  Road Permit Insurance Requirements (Commercial)
• Road Permit Form
• Road Permit Details
• For all Permits, the NYSDOT Standard Details for Work Zone Traffic Control shall be used.

All forms must be filled out, notarized and forwarded with original signatures to:

Michael R. Dispenza
Department of Public Works
148 Martine Ave. - Room 522
White Plains, NY 10601

For additional information, contact Michael Dispenza by phone at (914) 995-2594 or by e-mail at .