No Roosevelt Island Vehicle Access Through Motorgate Garage During Helix Ramp Repair Closure Says RIOC Director – A Gurney Lift To Top Of Helix Ramp Suggested

As previously reported , the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) will soon begin work on repairing the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix Ramp.

Image Of Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix During February 9 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting, RIOC Director of Engineering Jim Mortimer said:

… the repair work on top of the ramp would be done at night from 11 PM to 6 AM requiring the closing of the ramp during those hours. Work beneath the ramp would be done during the day and would not disrupt traffic.

RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki expressed concern regarding emergency vehicle access to Roosevelt Island during the late night closure of the Helix ramp. Mr. Shinozak said that provisions need to be made to insure emergency vehicle access to Roosevelt Island by weaving through the Motorgate Garage.

Mr. Mortimer updated the RIOC March 9 Operations Advisory Committee ( full audio web cast of meeting) by phone on the Helix repair. Also, Mr. Shinozaki pointed out that his further inquiries determined there is no way for emergency vehicles to be able to use the Motorgate garage for access to Roosevelt Island while the Helix is closed. Mr. Shinozaki suggested a gurney may be necessary to lift a person up to the Helix top in the event of an emergency while the Helix ramp is close. Mr. Mortimer added that RIOC needs to work more on this issue. Here the discussion.