The state scrambled on Tuesday to repair a piece of the Kosciuszko Bridge roadway that popped out of place just before the morning rush hour.
The expansion joint, which is meant to allow the bridge’s pavement to expand and contract in hot and cold temperatures, popped up at about 7:30 am on Tuesday, according to the state transportation department. The slippage occurred as the temperature sat at a frigid 6 degrees. There is no danger of the bridge collapsing, a spokeswoman for the transit agency said.
The good news is that the 75-year-old bridge is supposed to come down — in a controlled way — as it is set to be demolished in 2017 and fully replaced by two sleek suspension spans by 2020.
“The bridge is safe and the New York State Department of Transportation continues to maintain it in a state of good repair until the new bridge is completed,” Department of Transportation spokeswoman Diane Park said.
The bridge remained open as the state repaired it on Tuesday, but the middle lane was closed. It reopened before the evening rush hour, Park said.
