Kosciuszko Bridge Design-Build Project, Phase 1

HNTB served as lead designer for the new Kosciuszko Bridge Project, which carries traffic over Newtown Creek between Brooklyn and Queens, New York. A new cable-stayed bridge, which replaces the structurally deficient, 76-year-old existing span, is among the region’s first major cable-stayed bridges. As the New York State Department of Transportation’s largest-ever design-build project, it also sets the precedent for future design-builds statewide.

Working closely with the construction joint venture of SKE (Skanska-Kiewit-ECCO III), HNTB’s team implemented leading-edge design solutions to improve constructability and minimize unique environmental, traffic, construction and community impacts – all packaged in an iconic design.

As part of HNTB's design work, the project design includes streetscape and landscape restoration and improvements. The streetscape pays close attention to context sensitive design and included the local community in the process through public involvement meetings while adhering the PROWAG, NYCDOT, NYC Parks and NYCDEP requirements.

It includes street trees planted in a cobble-edged continuous trench with structural soil for greater vigor and longevity of the plantings. As part of the project, HNTB landscape architects  designed small passive recreation public spaces along the roadway. These small parks include green infrastructure to collect and filter stormwater run-off, while providing the community with new gathering spaces with benches, special paving and lighting. They also collaborated with HNTB structural engineers to create safe and comfortable bicyclist/pedestrian access and provided landscape design and restoration on the Queens approach at First Calvary Cemetery.