Train Commuters Thwarted by Popham Bridge Project

It may have been in the works for 10 years, but residents got their first real taste of what kind of day-to-day implications the Popham Road Bridge reconstruction will have on their commute earlier this week.

After staging construction for more than a month, actual work has begun, and detours to protect pedestrians have been put in place to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters who are making a break for their train on foot.

Village Manager Al Gatta reminded the public that the rerouting of pathways may require a full shift of commuters' routines and timing. He noted that his office had received a volley of calls from frustrated residents.

"For the the last five weeks people have been asking me when the construction was going to start and I said, it had started already," he said at the July 13 Board of Trustees meeting. He explained that thus far, most of the work was the quieter, less obtrusive preparatory and staging for the new pipe and roadway.

"Now the construction is visible," he said. "This moring was a little confusing with the detouring and signs. I just want to impress [upon] and ask residents, commuters, people who take the train, to do the best you can, and follow the detours. This morning, as I say, was a little confused, but we hope that as days pass, commuters and people who take the train will become familiar with how to get around.

"Obviously you have to leave home at least two-and-a-half to three minutes sooner," he noted. "The access that we have created to the outbound platform, it will take another two to three minutes for a pedestrian to reach the outbound platform."

He requested that people read the details on the village's website, and strongly urged compliance with the safety precautions.

"I would ask people to just lift their head and look around and follow the direction where you are able to walk, but do leave earlier, and be tolerant. Be tolerant for the next 18 months, if you can."

Mayor Carolyn Stevens noted that she saw people avoiding, ignoring, and crossing through barricades that had been set up. "That is obviously a safety issue for everybody," she said.

Part of the northbound platform at the Scarsdale Train Station has been closed. Train travelers will not be able to walk on the platform under the Popham Road Bridge for the next 18 months.

For the next six months, the stairs at the corner of East Parkway and Popham Road and the stairs that lead from Popham Road to the inbound platform will also be off-limits. Pedestrians are to follow the posted detour signs. 

Until the end of 2011, when the project is scheduled for completion, pedestrian access will be restricted, though never completely prohibited. Lanes may be closed at certain times, although cars will be able to cross the bridge.  

Work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as occasional Saturdays and some overnights, contingent upon Metro North's availability. 

Nearby business owners have been anxious since before construction started, recognizing that limits in pedestrian access would hurt and that lane closures would create even more barriers to commerce than the bridge's usual traffic does.

Officials estimate 15,000 to 16,000 cars use the bridge daily.

Details about the project were unveiled at a public hearing in March.  It has four main goals to be done in three key stages, each taking about six months.

Goals:

• to replace the deteriorated bridge
• to improve traffic operation and vehicular/pedestrian safety on Popham Road
• to provide new commuter access to the inbound Metro North Railroad platform
• to integrate village center aesthetics into the new bridge design

Stages: 

• Northern expansion will restrict pedestrian access on the northern side of the bridge and platform.
• Southern expansion will restrict pedestrian access on the southern side of the bridge and platform.
• Central area of bridge will cause traffic to be diverted to the newly constructed areas.

At the end, the bridge will be expanded from three lanes to five lanes, and a new dedicated turning lane to East Parkway will be provided. 

New stairs will be added for pedestrian access to the train platform, and the platform will be expanded. Decorative improvements include new granite curbing and aesthetic lighting enhancements both on the curb and within traffic signals.