Bath Beach pedestrian bridge reconstruction project drags years behind schedule

"A delayed pedestrian bridge reconstruction project in Bath Beach, Brooklyn, is drawing mounting frustration from residents and community leaders who say the prolonged closure has severed a vital connection to the neighborhood's waterfront. The old 17th Avenue pedestrian bridge once spanned the Belt Parkway, linking Bath Beach residents to views of Gravesend Bay. It was closed in 2021 for reconstruction and demolished in 2022."

"City officials said the closure was necessary due to safety concerns. "This overpass was one of the most hit by tractor trailers because of the clearance," said City Councilmember Justin Brannan, who represents the district. "So I think DOT was in a rush to tear it down." But neighbors say they were promised a much quicker rebuild. "This was originally supposed to be finished in fall of 2023," said Laurie Windsor, chair of Community Board 11."

The 17th Avenue pedestrian bridge in Bath Beach was closed in 2021 and demolished in 2022 for reconstruction, leaving the neighborhood without a direct link to Gravesend Bay. City officials cited safety concerns and frequent impacts by tractor trailers for the removal. Residents and community leaders expected the replacement to be finished by fall 2023, but the project remains active with no firm completion date. The closure forces neighbors to walk an additional 20 to 30 minutes to reach the promenade and has disrupted routines such as waterfront walks and bike rides. Community Board 11 filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking clarity on delays and highlights limited open space in the district.

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