New York City Department of Transportation Willis Avenue Bridge Reconstruction

GPI provided resident engineering and field inspections reporting, as well as construction oversight and inspections, supporting the project as part of a combined effort that also included work performed for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). This approach required close coordination with consultant teams and outside agencies to align project schedules, minimize disruptions, and optimize overall delivery. The inclusion of REI services under the combined contract helped streamline construction activities and reduce impacts to the traveling public.

The project involved the complete replacement of the existing structure with a new swing span and flanking girder spans constructed on a new alignment. A significant component of the work included reconstruction of the bridge’s center pier using drilled steel piles installed within caissons, along with tremie concrete placements, reinforcement cages, and both precast and cast-in-place structural elements. The new superstructure was assembled off-site and floated into place as a single unit, requiring careful planning, inspection, and coordination throughout the process.

To maintain traffic flow across this heavily traveled corridor, construction was performed using staged, off-line methods that allowed the majority of the new bridge to be built prior to demolition of the existing structure. Additional temporary ramps and phased tie-ins were implemented to ensure continuous access between key routes, including the FDR Drive and local street networks. GPI’s field presence supported these efforts through ongoing inspection, documentation, and coordination activities during each phase of construction.

GPI contributed to the successful delivery of this complex bridge replacement project, helping to maintain quality, support construction sequencing, and minimize impacts to the traveling public.