Carrying more than 200,000 daily passengers between Staten Island and Brooklyn, the Verrazzano‑Narrows Bridge is one of the busiest and most important crossings in the New York metropolitan region. To help improve mobility during peak travel periods, STV partnered with MTA Bridges and Tunnels to develop implementation procedures for operating a new reversible Bus/HOV lane on the bridge’s upper level. The project improves eastbound morning travel toward Brooklyn by giving priority access to buses and high‑occupancy vehicles.
What challenges did STV address?
The reversible HOV lane is controlled by a movable barrier system, requiring precise daily procedures to ensure the safe repositioning of equipment and the clear communication of lane operations to drivers. STV needed to coordinate with multiple agencies, including the New York City and New York State Departments of Transportation, to unify signage, operations and traffic management strategies. The team also needed to address the complexities of working on one of the nation’s most heavily used bridge crossings.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV developed comprehensive HOV/BUS implementation plans that detailed barrier operations, lane configurations, signage requirements and inter‑agency coordination protocols. The team also prepared implementation cost estimates and provided construction support services. By outlining daily procedures and defining communication protocols across agencies, STV ensured the consistent and safe activation of the reversible lane during peak travel times.
How does this project benefit the community?
The Bus/HOV lane improves travel reliability for transit riders and carpoolers, reduces congestion during peak hours and supports regional mobility between Staten Island and Brooklyn. The reversible design allows the bridge to operate more efficiently without requiring new structural capacity.
Key stats and accolades
- Reversible Bus/HOV lane on the upper level
- Movable barrier system for peak‑direction traffic
- Coordination with NYC and NYS DOTs
- Improved travel times for transit riders and carpoolers
