NEW YORK — New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) representatives were joined by local elected officials in Sheepshead Bay, New York, for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the recent rehabilitation of the over 400-foot 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, 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.

“The Ocean Avenue Pedestrian Bridge is a beautiful, iconic and historic link between the Sheepshead Bay and Manhattan Beach communities I am privileged to represent,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “I am grateful to our city and state government partners for delivering funding to upgrade the bridge’s surfaces and to the committed NYC DOT employees who worked hard to bring this rehabilitated bridge to life.”