MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that it will close the Third Avenue Bridge in Mount Vernon to pedestrians starting on Wednesday, April 29. The closure will allow demolition to start in order to replace the nearly 120-year-old bridge. The Third Avenue Bridge carries traffic and pedestrians over the New Haven Line between 1^st Street and Fiske Place in downtown Mount Vernon. The bridge is already closed to vehicular traffic.

“We look forward to seeing how this next step in our bridge construction efforts will help to revitalize downtown Mount Vernon and, in the future, serve as an artery for people and traffic to get around,” said Catherine Rinaldi, Metro-North Railroad President. “We are excited for the Third Avenue Bridge project to officially begin.”

Demolition of the existing bridge is scheduled to start the first week of May. Complete removal of the bridge is expected July 2020.

New girders, or support beams, will be erected and installed for the new bridge in December 2020.

The project is expected to cost $10.4 million and take 18 months to complete by John Civetta & Sons, Inc., a heavy construction contracting firm based in the Bronx.

The Third Avenue Bridge is one of six bridges Metro-North Railroad is replacing across the New Haven Line in downtown Mount Vernon. Metro-North Railroad reopened the 14^th Street Bridge on July 3, 2019. The Sixth Avenue Bridge and the 10^th Avenue Bridge, are currently being rebuilt, and are expected to reopen in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Pictures here show the continuous progress made on the Sixth Avenue Bridge with the recent installation of steel. Metro-North expects to seek design-build proposals from companies next year for the replacement of the South Street Bridge and Fulton Avenue Bridge.

Metro North replaced the Park Avenue / 1^st Avenue Bridge in 2011.

“The Third Avenue Bridge is of special significance to me because it is in the same neighborhood where I grew up in Mount Vernon,” said George Latimer, Westchester County Executive. “I am thrilled that Metro-North will be starting construction within the next few weeks, to allow the bridge to remain a gateway to Mount Vernon’s newly-revitalized downtown.”

“This is a major step for the revitalization of both the Third Avenue Bridge and downtown Mount Vernon,” said Eliot Engel, Congressman. “This project has long been in the works and I'm pleased that we have been able to secure substantial federal funds to get this construction done. These are exactly the type of infrastructure projects we need to update our transportation system and get people back to work."

“Remedying the infrastructure in Mount Vernon is crucial and repairing our bridges is integral to the vitality of the city, which is why I fought so hard for funding of projects like this in the State Budget,” said Jamaal T. Bailey, Senator. “I would like to thank MTA Metro-North Railroad for commencing work on the Third Avenue Bridge in Mount Vernon. The Third Avenue Bridge is in desperate need of repair. Its current condition is dangerous for residents and was constructed approximately 120 years ago, and desperately needs an overhaul. I look forward to seeing the final product, moving Mount Vernon forward.”

“I’m happy to see that the Third Avenue Bridge will begin reconstruction,” said J. Gary Pretlow, Assemblyman. “The bridge has been in use for over a century, and it is essential to have it rebuilt for the safety of drivers and pedestrians.”

“With a city of nearly 100,000 residents, it’s in the best interests of public safety and health to have open bridges,” said Shawyn Patterson – Howard, Mount Vernon Mayor. “I appreciate the renewed partnership between the MTA and the City of Mount Vernon to replace our broken bridges. The start of construction on the Third Avenue Bridge, which has been closed for a decade, is a welcomed investment and an essential step forward in boosting the economic development of our downtown.  I am excited to see the progress being made at the Sixth and 10th Avenue Bridges.  I look forward to working with the MTA to invest more capital into the Jewel of Westchester.”