New York City (NYC) Parks and the NYC Department of Design and construction (DDC) joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials on May 28, 2024, to break ground on a $41 million project that will renovate Tide Gate Bridge in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
The project is being managed by DDC for NYC Parks and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2027.
The project will replace the bridge’s existing deck with a new deck about 4.6 feet wider than the existing one. DDC will also replace the mechanical flood structures beneath the deck with new, modern, automated stainless-steel tide and sluice gates and a new hydraulic control system. The new gate system will be relocated to a new elevated platform near the adjacent LIRR tracks.
The bridge’s sidewalks will be extended to connect with the existing sidewalks on both side of the ADA-compliant ramps to improve pedestrian access. The road on both sides of the bridge will be repaved and the existing utility lines that are built in to the bridge will be replaced.
The project will also add wetlands at the northwest abutments of the bridge along the shoreline creek, which will be planted with smooth cordgrass. Nearby areas will be restored and planted with a native seed mix along with upland species plants and trees.
"NYC Parks is excited to once again collaborate with the Department of Design and Construction on the vital project to reconstruct and enhance Tide Gate Bridge in Flushing Meadows Corona Park," said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue in a press release.
"Urban infrastructure renovation projects, such as Porpoise Bridge, underscore this administration's efforts to advocate for our parks' past, present, and future. This investment aims to prolong the bridge's lifespan and preserve the ecology of its waterway, ensuring the sustainability of our park and enhancing its resilience for the benefit of all New Yorkers,” said Donoghue.
