A three-block section of the East River Esplanade between E. 93rd, and E. 96th Street is scheduled to close to the public starting May 26. The closure is necessary to facilitate repairs on a “yawning” sinkhole located in the area.
According to the nonprofit Friends of the East River Esplanade, the repair process is projected to last approximately four weeks. The NYC Parks Department has not yet responded to requests to confirm this timeline.
Previous Closures and Safety Concerns
This upcoming work follows a brief closure last month of the walkway between E. 93rd and E. 94th Street. That one-week closure occurred after a Parks Department inspection found that a long-standing sinkhole had widened to an alarming degree.
During the April incident, fencing was moved on April 23 with assistance from the Department of Transportation to block pedestrians. The path was reopened on April 30 following a subsequent inspection.
Jennifer Ratner, board chair of Friends of the East River Esplanade, stated that the previous closure was handled with “an abundance of caution.” She noted that, to her knowledge, “sinkholes only get bigger, not smaller.”
Safety remains a primary concern for advocates. Ratner reported seeing a man dressed for work clamber over the fencing and traverse the closed area, despite a visible “Do Not Enter” sign.
Ratner believes the city is now prepared to perform a “much more definitive repair” on May 26. She indicated that the city intends to pave over the spot with black asphalt to ideally eliminate the sinkhole permanently.
Impact on Bobby Wagner Walk
The affected area is part of the Bobby Wagner Walk, which extends from E. 90th Street to E. 125th Street. The closure may impact Manhattanites commuting to the E. 90th Street ferry stop.
The Bobby Wagner Walk has been promised a $294 million makeover, which includes the East Harlem Pier on E. 107th Street. While $75 million was earmarked for the project in 2019 and a formal plan was released by the Empire Development Corporation in 2022, the start date has been deferred to this fall.
The successful filling of the E. 93rd Street sinkhole could remove one barrier to the completion of the larger makeover.
Other Esplanade Disruptions
Other sections of the Esplanade continue to face challenges. A stretch from E. 70th Street to E. 78th Street remains closed due to the long-delayed construction of a new Hospital for Special Surgery Tower.
Additional sinkholes were noted in that construction zone around last June, including one at E. 74th Street that was reportedly filled by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the East River Esplanade closure begin?
The closure is slated to start on May 26.
Which specific area will be closed?
A three-block section between E. 93rd and E. 96th Street will be closed to the public.
How long is the repair process expected to take?
Friends of the East River Esplanade projects the closure will last four weeks, though the NYC Parks Department has not confirmed this timeline.
How do you feel about the balance between necessary infrastructure repairs and the accessibility of public walkways?
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