Work has finished on the $1.7 billion Hunts Point Access Improvement Project in the South Bronx, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The six-year project, managed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), aimed to reduce heavy truck traffic in residential neighborhoods by improving direct access to the Hunts Point Market from major highways and creating new pedestrian and recreational spaces.
“For far too long, residents of the South Bronx have contended with heavy truck traffic in their neighborhoods and all the problems that resulted, including high asthma rates and poor health outcomes,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to this project we have taken thousands of trucks headed to the Hunts Point Market off local streets every day and added further fuel to the growing resurgence of the South Bronx with less congested streets, cleaner air and exiting new recreational opportunities along the Bronx River waterfront.”
The Hunts Point Market is a key part of New York City’s food supply system, providing over 60 percent of its meat, fish, and produce. It also generates more than $2 billion annually for the Bronx economy. The completed project provides direct highway access from both Bruckner Expressway and Sheridan Boulevard to Hunts Point, diverting tens of thousands of commercial vehicles away from local roads.
The construction was carried out in three phases:
– Phase one concluded in October 2022. It focused on removing truck traffic from local streets by building three new ramps to Edgewater Road—including a two-way ramp from Sheridan Boulevard—and resurfacing Edgewater Road with upgraded signals at Seneca and Garrison Avenues. Four bridges over Amtrak and CSX rail lines were replaced, as was the Bryant Avenue pedestrian bridge.
– Garrison Park received landscaping upgrades, new river overlooks, a formal entrance with a signalized rail crossing, and a shared-use path connecting it with Concrete Plant Park via an extension of the Bronx River Greenway.
– The second phase ended in summer 2023 after reconstructing 1.25 miles of Bruckner Expressway with new ramps linking westbound Bruckner to Leggett Avenue for more direct market access. A 1.75-mile stretch of Bruckner Boulevard was rebuilt with improvements at fifteen intersections; sidewalks, curbs, medians, crosswalks were updated; and a 1.5-mile shared-use path now connects Randall’s Island, Manhattan, and Bronx River Greenway.
– The third phase began in late 2022 focusing on eliminating bottlenecks at Bruckner Expressway/Sheridan Boulevard interchange by relocating ramps for better traffic flow; upgrading signage; installing new pavement; adding bikeways; improving street design for pedestrian safety; enhancing lighting; shortening crosswalks; and connecting bike paths between 141st Street and Bronx River bikeways.
A parking lot with 111 spots—including 24 electric vehicle charging stations—was built under Bruckner Expressway as part of efforts to improve air quality.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said: “Governor Kathy Hochul is making historic transportation infrastructure investments in the South Bronx that are moving people and goods more efficiently, enhancing public safety, improving health outcomes and quality of life… Working with the community, DOT under Governor Kathy Hochul is investing in infrastructure solutions that make a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of Bronxites.”
The project builds on previous work converting Sheridan Expressway into Sheridan Boulevard—a $75 million initiative completed in 2019—to reconnect neighborhoods previously separated from green space like Starlight Park.
As this project concludes, NYSDOT continues work on replacing or rehabilitating five bridges along Cross Bronx Expressway—a corridor used by about 150,000 vehicles daily—to further enhance safety.
State Senator Luis Sepúlveda stated: “The completion of the Hunts Point Access Improvement Project marks a historic moment for the South Bronx… This project proves that when the State invests in our communities, we transform the future of our families.”
Assemblymember Emérita Torres commented: “Our communities have historically carried the burden of truck congestion… This investment reconnects communities… offers recreational spaces that will improve our quality of life for generations.”
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson added: “With completion… our residents will now gain access to new green spaces… Through [Governor Hochul’s] leadership… we are making sure our residents have access to safe streets…”
New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca said: “For decades our community has shouldered pollution from heavy truck traffic cutting through residential streets… Redirecting thousands of trucks off our local roads … is truly transformative…”
Fulton Fish Market Cooperative CEO Nicole Ackerina noted: “It’s wonderful to see Governor Hochul … deliver on investments … while also diverting trucks away from our local residential communities.”
NYSDOT says it remains committed to engaging with South Bronx communities as future projects advance.
