Long Overdue: Pedestrian Bridge Over Sheepshead Bay Renovated – Fmr. NYS Assemblyman Demonstrates Long-Term Community Care

NYC DOT CUTS RIBBON ON REHABILITATED OCEAN AVENUE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE CONNECTING SHEEPSHEAD BAY TO MANHATTAN BEACH 

Bridge Was First Constructed in 1880 by a Private Developer of a Waterfront Hotel and Reconstructed in 1930 After Becoming a City Asset

Construction on the Bridge Was Performed by In-House Personnel With Funding Provided via Former State Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz and NYC DOT

Editor’s note: We previously covered the receipt by NYC DOT of federal funding to reimagine Queens Blvd, with the aim of making it safer for pedestrians.  

We asked the following questions of NYC DOT.  The questions are in bold, with answers from a DOT spokesperson in italics below: 

 Is this situation (where an outgoing assembly member holds onto a project that’s important to the community until it’s seen through to the end) in fact a rare one? Are you aware of any similar collaborations between outgoing and incoming assembly members and the NYCDOT?

No and this was a bit of a rarity because it involved a transfer of state to city funds. It’s more common when a city council member provides funding to a city agency for a local project. The funding process (which can be more complicated when it’s state to city vs. city to city) began when one Member was in office and continued with the succeeding Member.  So both were part of the celebration.  

 

 

NEW YORK — New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez was joined today by local elected officials in Sheepshead Bay for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the recent rehabilitation of the over 400-foot iconic wooden bridge. The bridge, originally build in 1880, crosses Sheepshead Bay and connects Emmons Avenue in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood to Shore Boulevard in Manhattan Beach.

“Bridging communities is a priority for the Adams Administration and NYC DOT, and the Ocean Avenue Pedestrian Bridge literally does just that,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This iconic wooden bridge from a century ago was in much need of tender loving care, and together former Assemblymember Cymbrowitz, the local community, and DOT’s operational teams stepped up and delivered for Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, and all of Brooklyn.”

The bridge has deteriorated over the years as deck boards, handrails, and railing supports were in dire need of replacement. It became a priority in the community to be addressed, and in 2022 then Assemblymember Steve Cymbrowitz worked to make $750,000 in multi-modal funds via a transfer from the State of New York to fund the rehabilitation. NYC DOT filled in the remainder of funding needs to move forward with the approximately $1.2 million project.

NYC DOT’s repair work, performed by agency carpenters, electricians, masons, painters, and ironworkers included:

• Deck replacement and walking board replacement
• Vertical bumper support replacement
• Vertical post installation
• Railing and stringer replacement
• Removal of paint, and repainting of structure
• Development and replacement of matching decorative lighting at the bridge

Work was completed in late spring 2025, following community input from business owners, local residents, and local elected officials.

“I am delighted that this historic and beautiful pedestrian bridge, which I use daily, has been restored to its former glory,” said New York State Assemblymember Michael Novakhov. “As a longtime resident of Manhattan Beach, I can personally attest that the repairs to the walkway and handrails were essential and long overdue. When my predecessor – former Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz – left office, the allocated funds still needed to be shepherded through state and city processes. I am proud of the work my team and I did to ensure these funds were allocated by the Assembly in a timely fashion, and I commend the DOT for their critical role in this revitalization.”

“I am proud to see the long-awaited, much needed updates to the Sheepshead Bay Bridge finally completed,” said New York City Councilmember Inna Vernikov. “This bridge is a landmark in our community and a daily path for so many neighbors connecting Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach. For years, residents and local businesses have needed and asked for these repairs, and today’s reopening reflects what can be achieved when government works in conjunction with the community. I thank NYC DOT for prioritizing this project and ensuring that our neighborhood’s character and infrastructure are preserved for years to come.”

 

Banner Image: View getting on the bridge.  Image Credit – NYC DOT