The Challenge

The Bronx Whitestone Bridge was in serious needs of upgrades by the late 2000s. Opened as a four-lane suspension bridge in 1939 when the toll was just 25 cents, Whitestone now charges $5 each way and serves over 116,000 commuters each day as a major connection between Queens and the Bronx via Interstate 678 over the East River. The bridge had recently been expanded to include six lanes, but it still required significant upgrades, including reconstruction of the Bronx Lower Garage, widening of the bridge deck, addition of two lanes to the approach, and demolition and replacement of existing piers.

The Solution

The Conti Group has been overcoming obstacles and working with the TBTA since 2008 to bring Whitestone the needed upgrades. Limited workspace on and around the bridge makes coordination and team management key in maintaining the schedule. Conti's senior management team has been working tirelessly to ensure that all deadlines are met, as they have mapped out a specific three-phase plan. Phase one consists of all substructure work, including building a second substructure under the bridge and reconstructing the Bronx Lower Garage service building, whereas work on the superstructure will be handled in phase two. This involves precise lane-by-lane demolition while maintaining traffic flow in five lanes, a feat that requires a huge amount of coordination and cooperation. The third phase consists of demolishing existing piers and miscellaneous landscaping and restoration work.

This project is Conti's first major bridge job in New York City and the largest in the company's history.

Scope of Work