Weekend Closure To Affect Grand Central, Jackie Robinson Parkways

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS — Two ramps connecting the Jackie Robinson Parkway and the Grand Central Parkway will be closed for construction this weekend, the New York State Department of Transportation is warning drivers.

The Exit 8W ramp from the eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway to the westbound Grand Central Parkway and the Exit 13W ramp from the eastbound Grand Central Parkway to the westbound Jackie Robinson Parkway will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to a news release.

The closures will make way for workers to remove the old Union Turnpike bridge, part of the state's multimillion-dollar overhaul of the complex intersection known as the Kew Gardens Interchange.

Drivers wanting to access the westbound Grand Central Parkway from eastbound Jackie Robinson Parkway during this closure will be directed to use the following signed detour:

• Take Exit 7 from eastbound Jackie Robinson to access northbound Van Wyck Expressway.
• Take Exit 11 (69th Road/Jewel Ave) from the northbound Van Wyck Expressway and turn left onto Park Drive East.
• Turn left onto 69th Road, and then take the ramp to westbound Grand Central Parkway.

Drivers wanting to access westbound Jackie Robinson Parkway from eastbound Grand Central Parkway will be directed to use the following signed detour:

• Take the Exit 11 ramp (Jewel Avenue/69th Road) and proceed for ½ mile
• Turn left onto Jewel Avenue
• Take the right-side ramp onto the southbound Van Wyck Expressway (I-678)
• Take Exit 7 (Jackie Robinson Parkway West)

For real-time travel information, drivers can call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.