CROSS-BRONX EXPRESSWAY

The 'Cross-Bronx Expressway' is a major expressway in New York City. Part of Interstate 95, Interstate 295 and US 1, the six-lane freeway passes through the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Cross-Bronx Expressway is a major connection between the Alexander Hamilton Bridge on the west side of the Bronx and the Throgs Neck Bridge on the east. The Cross-Bronx is designated Interstate 95 between the Alexander Hamilton Bridge (though many incorrectly refer to the Trans-Manhattan Expressway section as the Cross-Bronx) and the Bruckner Interchange, at which point it becomes Interstate 295 until it ends at the Throgs Neck Bridge. I-95 continues as the Bruckner Expressway and New England Thruway to Connecticut.

Contents

History

Cross Bronx Expressway Traffic

Exit List

See also

Related roads on Wikipedia

Sources

External links

History

In 1936, the Regional Plan Association (RPA) proposed a Cross-Bronx highway which would connect the George Washington, Triborough, and Bronx-Whitestone Bridges, as well as access to points north to New England. Five years later, the New York City Planning Planning Department recommended construction of the "Bronx Crosstown Highway."
Robert Moses proposed a six-lane expressway to run through the heart of the South Bronx in 1945. This project proved to be one of the most difficult expressway projects of the time: construction required blasting through ridges, crossing valleys and redirecting rivers. In doing so, minimal disruption to the apartment buildings that topped the ridges in the area of Grand Concourse was a priority. Moreover, the expressway had to cross 113 streets, seven expressways and parkways (some of which were under construction), one subway line, five elevated lines, three commuter rail lines, and hundreds of utility, water and sewer lines, none of which could be interrupted.
Construction began in 1948. The roadway was carefully constructed with twelve-foot wide lanes and ten foot wide cobblestone shoulders. In 1963, the last of the three sections of roadway between the Alexander Hamilton and Throgs Neck Bridges were finished, completing the Cross Bronx Expressway.
Many have blamed the Cross-Bronx Expressway for worsening the decay of already-embattled neighborhoods in the South Bronx, with the prominent example being the neighborhood of Tremont. In Robert Caro's ''The Power Broker,'' the author argues that Moses intentionally directed the expressway through this neighborhood, even though there was a more viable option only one block south. Many of the neighborhoods it runs through have been continually poor since before its construction, primarily due to the lowered property value caused by the Expressway. This is partially to blame for the public opposition to many other planned expressways in New York City that were later cancelled. The Cross-Bronx Expressway was an engineering marvel for its time, for it was the first highway to plow through a crowded urban environment. The Expressway was designed by the famed WWII General who also engineered the Burma Road, but in regards to the expressway was quoted as "The [Burma] Road was tough. But that was nothing compared to this son of a bitch". The most expensive mile of road ever built is part of the Cross-Bronx, costing $40,000,000. At one point during construction, Moses' team had supported the Grand Concourse while the Expressway was being rammed through. In the process, crews had to elevate a major thoroughfare, a subway line and an El train.
The expressway is one of the main routes for shipping and transportation through New York City due to its connections with New Jersey via the George Washington Bridge, Long Island via the Throgs Neck and Whitestone Bridges, Upstate New York via Interstate 87 northbound and the Bronx River Parkway, Manhattan via Interstate 87 southbound to the Triborough Bridge, and New England via the New England Thruway (Interstate 95) and the Hutchinson River Parkway.
However, the expressway is known for its extreme traffic problems; on a typical day 145,000 vehicles travel on the six lanes of highway the road contains, and it is not uncommon for truckers to use the Cross-Westchester Expressway to the Major Deegan Expressway to get around this stretch of I-95. Proposals have been made to add a second deck to the road, although to no avail. ''(Source: NYC Roads)''

Cross Bronx Expressway Traffic

The Cross Bronx Expressway is a heavily used interstate. Cars/ Trucks from Long Island,New England, and New Jersey use the Cross Bronx the most. On July 31,2007 The Cross Bronx had past its previous traffic record of 37 mins. on July 31,2007 the Cross Bronx had an aprox of 77-110 min. delay. This was comfirmed by traffic.com and 1010wins. From Randel Av to Bronx River Parkway there was a delay of 15 mins. From the Bronx River Parkway to the Major Deegan Expressway there was a major delay of 53 mins. From the Major Deegan Expressway to the New Jersey Turnpike crossing the George Washington Bridge with a delay of 42 mins. People who were interviewed say that it took aprox 2 Hrs from the Throgs Neck Bridge to New Jersey. The Duration of this delay was 3 hours,from 1 P.M to 4 P.M This delay effected many drivers in New York City. This effected the Bruckner Expressway, Major Deegan Expressway,Bronx River Parkway,FDR Drive,Westside Highway,Cross ISland Parkway,Belt Parkway,Van Wyck Expressway, and the Long Island Expressway. Bridges and tunnels that were effected we the Triboro Bridge. Whitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, George Washington Bridge,Verrazano Bridge,Lincoln Tunnel, and the Holland Tunnel. When there is a delay of 50 or more mins. People who Travel from Long Island to New Jersey are urged to use the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. People who travel from New England to New Jersey are urged to use the Tappen Zee.People who used the Cross Bronx say, that the 110 Min Delay will soon become a 130 then a 180 and a 200 min delay. This is due to the trucks and cars who use the I-95 NY.

Exit List

Municipality	Number		Mile	Destinations	Notes
		Old
Bronx	continues across the Alexander Hamilton Bridge onto the Trans-Manhattan Expressway.
	1C	3	1.4	Major Deegan Expressway - Albany, Queens Amsterdam Avenue
	2A		2.0	Jerome Avenue
	2B		2.7	Webster Avenue (US 1 North)	northbound exit and southbound entrance US 1 joins southbound and leaves northbound
	3		3.2	Third Avenue	southbound exit and northbound entrance
	4A		4.0	Sheridan Expressway - Triboro Bridge	northbound exit and southbound entrance
	4B		4.4	Rosedale Avenue Bronx River Parkway	northbound exit only
	5A	8	5.1	White Plains Road Westchester Avenue
	5B	9		Castle Hill Avenue	northbound exit and southbound entrance
	6A	10	6.4	Interstate 678 South - Whitestone Bridge	Bruckner Interchange Note: the exit from southbound I-95 is part of the Bruckner Expressway.
				Bruckner Expressway (East) - New Haven	Bruckner Interchange - eastbound junction only. Westbound traffic merges onto southbound I-95.
	leaves the Cross Bronx Expressway. Begin/end Cross Bronx Expressway Extension[1]
				Bruckner Expressway (West) - Triboro Bridge	Bruckner Interchange - westbound junction only.
	11			Randall Avenue	To Ferry Point Park
	10			Throgs Neck Expressway NORTH	Westbound junction only. TO I-95 NORTH.
	Begin/End Cross Bronx Expressway. Eastbound traffic merges onto southbound (Throgs Neck Expressway)[2] towards Throgs Neck Bridge

See also

★ The Bronx

★ Robert Moses

Related roads on Wikipedia

★ Interstate 95 in New York

★ Interstate 295

★ US 1

★ Bruckner Expressway

★ Trans-Manhattan Expressway

★ Bruckner Interchange

★ Throgs Neck Bridge

★ Whitestone Bridge

★ Washington Bridge

★ George Washington Bridge

Sources

1. Bruckner Interchange @ Google Maps
2. I-295/I-695 Merge @ Google Maps

External links

★ Cross-Bronx Expressway on NYC Roads