Overview: Cross Bay-Woodhaven Expressway (NY 453)

Woodhaven Boulevard Near Metropolitan Avenue (Photo Source: Google Maps)

Recommended Reading:
Cross Bay-Woodhaven Express Highway on NYCRoads


Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevard are currently among the busiest in the City, serving as an alternative to the Van Wyck Expressway as well as providing a connection to the Rockaways.

In order to alleviate traffic, the best case scenario would be to upgrade both the Cross Bay and Woodhaven Boulevards into a six-lane expressway, building the road to State route standards, but not an Interstate route.

 Woodhaven Boulevard

Woodhaven Boulevard Near Atlantic Avenue (Photo Source: Google Maps)

Woodhaven Boulevard passes through residential areas as well as business areas meaning construction must minimize impact.

This highway would be constructed as either a cut and cover with a new boulevard above the current one, which would be made into a freeway (Vine Street but capped) or Completely Elevated.

The Overpasses would need to be rehabilitated to carry traffic. The New Expressway would carry six-lanes while the Boulevard would carry four lanes, with a bus configurations.

  Cross Bay Boulevard

Joseph P. Addabo Bridge (Photo Source: Google Maps)

Cross Bay Bridge (Photo Source: Jim Henderson, Wikimedia)

Cross Bay Boulevard's Configuration is actually easier and can be done as an elevated roadway, but the same cut and cover method should be considered.

When the Spans begin however, things get tricky, to offset potential problems, the best case scenario would be utilize ROW.

South of the Joseph P. Addabo Bridge, the Freeway would utilize ROW, probably along side the Railroad Tracks that pass nearby before heading for the Cross Bay Bridge.

The Freeway would then terminate where the Cross Bay Parkway ends

Designation

I chose the Designation NY 453 because it made sense to use NY 453 as the next designation, NY 454, is out on the Island as well as connecting with NY 25 or NY 25A

Exit List

I've complied a hypothetical Exit List for this freeway

Cross Bay Parkway Ends at Rockaway Freeway in Far Rockaway

Exit 1: Cross Bay Boulevard
Exit 2A-B: Belt Parkway/Conduit Boulevard/Nassau Expressway
Exit 3: Rockaway Boulevard
Exit 4: Atlantic Avenue
Exit 5: Jamaica Avenue
Exit 6A-B: Myrtle Avenue/Jackie Robinson Parkway
Exit 7: Metropolitan Avenue
Exit 8:  Queens Boulevard