Parks Dept. to repair Shore Road Promenade potholes

July 10, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The promenade, which sits in the shadow of the majestic Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, is a popular place for pedestrians, bike riders, and those who want to capture the beauty of the waterfront with cameras.

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The Shore Road Promenade, a popular place for bike riders and pedestrians, resembles the surface of the moon, according to Bay Ridge officials, who said the pathway is littered with crater-sized potholes, some as deep as 12 inches.

But the shoreline attraction is about to undergo much-needed repairs.

Councilmember Vincent Gentile announced that the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has agreed to his request for repairs to be made on the 4.5-mile pathway. The $500,000 repair project is scheduled to begin within a few days, according to Gentile.

“This is first and foremost a pressing safety issue,” Gentile said.

The Shore Road Promenade wraps around the waterfront, stretching from the 69th Street pier, past the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and into Bensonhurst, ending at the Caesar’s Bay Shopping Mall on Bay Parkway. The promenade contains a bike path and a pedestrian walkway located side by side.

“This is one of the most scenic stretches in New York City and to see it in this condition is heartbreaking,” Gentile said. “I want to ensure the safety of all who utilize this path, and I am elated that we were able to secure the funds needed and thankful for the level of commitment from the Parks Department and Commissioner Mitchell Silver.”

Pedestrians and cyclists alike have had to dodge potholes and sinkholes for far too long, Gentile said. He visited the area on July 7 to get a firsthand look at the craters.

Gentile said he wanted to assure local residents who utilize the scenic path that the holes will soon be gone.

The promenade will remain open while the repairs are taking place, according to Josephine Beckmann, district manager of Community Board 10 (Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights).

“It’s in pretty bad shape, so it’s really great news that it is going to be repaired,” Beckmann told the Brooklyn Eagle.

At last count, there were 29 large potholes on the promenade, a majority of them on the bike path, Beckmann said.

The Parks Department has tried to warn the public not to fall into the sinkholes by painting brightly colored marking around the holes and by placing orange traffic cones in the craters, Beckmann said.

“The Parks Department has done a good job, but it’s still a potentially dangerous situation,” she told the Eagle.

Maeri Ferguson, a spokesperson for the Parks Department, said the work will begin July 13.

“NYC Parks is pleased to work with City Councilmember Gentile to restore the Shore Road Promenade beginning July 13,” Ferguson told the Eagle in an email. “We will start in the vicinity of 18th Avenue and Shore Parkway and continue north along the path until we get to Bay Ridge Avenue. The scope of the project includes excavation and inspection and repairing of potholes.”

Gentile said engineers and contractors will observe the areas around the current potholes in order to better shore up any underlying conditions that are causing the holes to reopen.

Gentile urged residents to be patient during the reconstruction process.

“We will begin to see improvements in just a few short weeks and conditions will be better from there on,” he said. “When it’s all said and done, residents will be able breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they will be able to enjoy all our waterfront has to offer without the concern of dangerous sinkholes.”