Project Overview

The Van Wyck Expressway (VWE, I-678) is a roadway expansion project providing easy access between the Kew Gardens Interchange (KGI) & John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. Developed in multiple phases, the project will work on the operational, geometric, & structural deficiencies of the expressway. 

The design focuses on widening the VWE to add a fourth & a fifth lane between KGI & JFK International Airport to reduce congestion. It is a part of a major USD 13 billion plan to remodel JFK Airport, focusing on enhancing vehicular access.

The project also includes the addition of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction, the reconstruction and relocation of exits and entrance ramps, and the construction or reconstruction of nine bridges.

Project Background

The Van Wyck Expressway is developed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and involves multiple phases, with Phase 3 currently under construction. It was first proposed in the 1940s  by Robert Moses, a prominent urban planner and New York City's Arterial Coordinator, as part of a broader USD 800 million (equivalent to USD 13.6 billion in 2023) highway system for the city.

It was designed to extend the expressway from Idlewild Airport (now JFK) to Queens Boulevard, built along the path of the Van Wyck Expressway. The construction began in the late 1940s & the first segment from Queens Boulevard to Idlewild Airport opened on October 14, 1950. 

By the early 2000s, the Van Wyck Expressway was unable to handle both current and predicted traffic volumes, resulting in extensive congestion and delays. In 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a USD 1.5 to USD 2 billion (equivalent to USD 1.83 to USD 2.45 billion in 2023) project to upgrade the Kew Gardens Interchange and expand the expressway, adding high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) and bus lanes. 

The current Van Wyck Expressway Capacity and Access Improvements Project is part of a USD 13 billion initiative to modernize JFK Airport, focusing on enhancing vehicular access.

What is JFK International Airport?

The JFK International Airport is an international gateway to the United States with 70 carriers serving 100 international non-stop destinations. It handles 58.9 million passengers with over 400,000 aircraft operations annually and is one of the world’s leading international air cargo centers. The airport is expected to witness approximately 75 million passengers by 2030. 

Van Wyck Expressway Project Location

The Van Wyck Expressway Project is located in Queens, New York. It passes through a 4.3-mile segment of the VWE, known as the Interstate 678 (I-678). The segment comprises the northbound and southbound service roads. The Northbound service road heads towards Hoover Avenue, & the Southbound road heads towards the southern end of Federal Circle at the entrance to JFK Airport. 

Van Wyck Expressway Project Cost

The total estimated cost for the Van Wyck Expressway Project is USD 1.2 billion. It includes the cost of various phases, including USD 804 million for Phase III & other segments, including the USD 350 million Design-Build segment, contributing to the overall capacity improvement effort.

Project Timeline

Project Scope

• Widening the Expressway: The project aims to widen the expressway from six lanes to eight lanes.

• Improved safety: It focuses on safety improvements by installing breakdown lanes and accommodating emergencies.

• Increased Capacity: The project will increase overall capacity to up to 200,000 vehicles daily. 

• Reconstruction of the Kew Gardens Interchange: Improved the interchange point of the intersection of the Grand Central Parkway, Jackie Robinson Parkway, and Union Turnpike to eliminate bottlenecks.

• Enhancement of aging infrastructure: Improved structural integrity by replacing aging infrastructure and reducing maintenance needs.

• Improved access to JFK International Airport: The project focuses on providing easy access to JFK International Airport & expects approximately 75 million passengers annually by 2030.   

• Increased commercial & cargo handling traffic: The improved infrastructure leads to an increased capacity to handle commercial & cargo traffic. 

Environmental effect of the project

Below follows the long-term impact of the project on the environmental sector of Queens, New York. 

• Construction Emissions: Construction activities, such as ramp & bridge expansion & enhancement, generate carbon dioxide & other emissions, affecting the environment.

• Damage to the local ecosystem: Site preparation for widening roads & ramps damaged the local ecosystem & green spaces. 

• Degrading water quality: Waterways may have been contaminated by sediments or pollutants carried by construction runoff.

• Noise pollution: The increased traffic handling capacity after the project's completion will lead to increased noise pollution. 

Phase I 

The construction for Phase I began in 2010 & it proved to be a fundamental step in the modernization efforts for the expressway. It comprises the widening of the expressway from six to eight lanes, adjoining breakdown lanes for safety, replacing six structurally deficient overpasses, rehabilitating four others, and constructing two new subway entrances to improve public transit access. 

The completed Phase 1 project included widening a portion of the Van Wyck Expressway and rehabilitating the exit ramp from the northbound Van Wyck to westbound Queens Boulevard, four bridges over the Van Wyck, the Van Wyck Bridge over Main Street, and the Queens Boulevard Bridge over the Van Wyck Expressway. 

This project also included constructing auxiliary lanes on both the northbound and southbound Van Wyck between the Grand Central Parkway and Main Street, and provided a dedicated exit lane southbound to Hillside Avenue.

Phase II

Phase II of the project focuses on improving the traffic flow of the Kew Gardens Interchange. It ensures safety through constructional enhancement. In addition to the construction of the new northbound viaduct, three travel lanes will be accommodated in the future. 

Furthermore, the single-lane entrance ramp from Jackie Robinson Parkway and Union Turnpike to the northbound Van Wyck was extended with a more efficient two-lane ramp.

As part of the project, the eastbound Union Turnpike bridge over the Grand Central Parkway connector ramps underwent a new deck installation, and the bridge connecting the Union Turnpike to Jackie Robinson Parkway received a new deck and steel girders.

These upgradations laid the groundwork for subsequent phases by increasing capacity, improving traffic safety, and supporting future infrastructure such as HOV lanes and auxiliary connections. Furthermore, it represents the use of four-dimensional/five-dimensional models for the construction planning, management, and payment. 

Phase III

Phase III of the Van Wyck Expressway focuses on improving the infrastructure of the Kew Gardens Interchange in Queens, New York. The motive is to reduce traffic & improve access to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). It is a part of the larger USD 13 billion plan to remodel JFK Airport, focusing on enhancing vehicular access.

The work commenced in the spring of 2022 and is expected to reduce the travel time of the VWE, along with decreasing traffic volume on local streets and service roads. 

This Phase constructed a new three-lane southbound viaduct over the Grand Central Parkway, replacing the old two-lane structure. Thus, the expanded structure results in increased capacity of the southbound expressway to handle the traffic. 

The project reconstructs and relocates exits and entrance ramps, as well as constructs and reconstructs nine bridges to accommodate the main HOV lane. The ramps at Jamaica Avenue and 94th Street, and at 101st Avenue and Liberty Avenue, are set to be removed, relocated, and reconstructed.Furthermore, it created new exit routes to connect the westbound Union Turnpike and the Jackie Robinson Parkway, improving access and reducing bottlenecks. Extended merging zones between Van Wyck and Grand Central Parkways have enhanced safety and flow during peak hours.

Contractors Of the Van Wyck Expressway Project

Van Wyck Expressway Current Status & Completion Date

As of August 2025, the Van Wyck Expressway Capacity and Access Improvements Project is currently under construction. In its ongoing Phase III, the project highlights the ramp closures & ongoing work, which are still in progress. Due to ongoing construction impacts, such as detours and ramp closures, traveler advisories indicate that the project has not yet been finalized.

Northbound Van Wyck Expressway Closure

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is advising motorists that there will be a long-term closure at the Liberty Avenue entrance ramp to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway from the northbound Van Wyck Expressway Service Road in Queens, on or about Monday morning, April 21, at 7 a.m. through Monday morning, September 29, 2025, at 7 a.m.

To access the northbound Van Wyck Expressway, motorists should use the entrance ramp at Atlantic Avenue from the northbound Van Wyck Expressway Service Road.

Southbound Van Wyck Expressway Ramp Closure

• The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is advising motorists that there will be a long-term closure of the Linden Boulevard entrance ramp to the southbound Van Wyck Expressway from the southbound Van Wyck Expressway Service Road in Queens, on or about Monday morning, June 2, at 7 a.m. through Monday afternoon, August 11, 2025, at 4 p.m.

To access the southbound Van Wyck Expressway, motorists should use the entrance ramp at Rockaway Boulevard from the southbound Van Wyck Expressway Service Road.

• The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is advising motorists that there will be a long-term ramp closure of Exit 2 (Rockaway Boulevard) on the southbound Van Wyck Expressway in Queens, Monday morning, July 28, 2025, at 6 a.m. This closure will be in effect through mid-November 2025.

To access Rockaway Boulevard, motorists should follow the signage at Exit 3 (Linden Boulevard). Take Exit 3 and continue on the southbound Van Wyck Expressway Service Road to Rockaway Boulevard. 

All these permanent ramp closures are necessary to facilitate construction of the retaining wall on the Van Wyck Expressway as part of NYSDOT’s Van Wyck Expressway Capacity and Access Improvements Project (Contract 3).

Benefits

• Improved traffic flow: The expansion of the expressway from six lanes to eight lanes in Phase I, along with the upgradation of ramps in Phases II & III, results in improved traffic flow.

• Improved safety: Replacing aging infrastructure results in improved structural integrity & reduced risks of accidents.

• Improved access to JFK International Airport: A major economic hub, JFK is expected to grow from over 70 million passengers a year in the next several years to over 75 million by 2030.

• Enhanced public transit use: Phase I of the project involved the construction of new subway entrances, which promoted public transit use and improved pedestrian access to transit hubs near the interchange.

• Economic boost: Being a part of the USD 13 billion plan to remodel JFK Airport, the project ensures a better transportation configuration, boosting job opportunities in Queens. It will further strengthen New York's economy. 

Conclusion

The Van Wyck Expressway construction project is a road infrastructure project of New York City. Upon its successful completion, the project will reduce traffic congestion & improve access to the JFK International Airport. Enhanced interchanges, expanded lanes & upgraded bridges will offer a smooth & safe travel experience. 

In addition to sustainable elements and community-focused design, the project reflects the region's long-term commitment to mobility and economic growth. A key achievement in the city's ongoing effort to modernize its aging transportation system, the Van Wyck Expressway conversion stands as an example of what can be achieved.

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