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RÍO PUERTO NUEVO

Lower Río Piedras

 
 
Design
Construction Start
Construction End

Roosevelt Ave Bridge

Design & Construction Contract No. 2

COMPLETE

STARTED

Summer 2024

Late 2028

Lower Río Piedras

Design & Construction Contract No. 3

COMPLETE
Summer 2026
Late 2031
Map of the Río Puerto Nuevo Flood Risk Management Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico, showing the planned project construction on the Río Piedras between Quebrada Margarita and Luis Muñoz Marín Park.
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The Roosevelt Avenue Bridge is an existing six-lane, three-span bridge that crosses the Río Piedras just north of the completed portion of the project. During major rain events, debris becomes clogged under the two bridge piers and the Río Piedras overtops and floods the road. This flooding is dangerous to pedestrians and drivers and halts the flow of traffic between Guaynabo and Hato Rey.

Work on the lower Río Piedras includes deepening and widening the lower portion of the Río Piedras. The river in this phase flows downstream from Luis Muñoz Marín Park and past the Puerto Nuevo neighborhood and the Nemesio Canales Residential Community where the roads, houses, and businesses have a history of flooding during significant rain events. Deepening and widening the river in this area will significantly reduce the risk of flooding to roads and homes near the river.

Project Information

Roosevelt Avenue Bridge

Design & Construction Contract No. 2

The existing Roosevelt Avenue Bridge will be replaced with a two-span bridge that will match the new width of the Río Piedras, essentially doubling it in width. Since debris is easily trapped by the two piers holding the existing bridge up, the new bridge will be built with only one pier which will allow for debris to pass downstream during storms. The new bridge will also meet the latest seismic requirements to allow it to withstand significant earthquakes. Additionally, water and electrical utilities will be upgraded and relocated, and new stormwater inlets will allow for drainage through the wall of the channel at the bridge.

Flooding in the Project Area
During significant storms, roads and buildings on Roosevelt Avenue are flooded, resulting in significant traffic impacts and damages.
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge
When debris blocks the flow of the Río Piedras under Roosevelt Avenue Bridge, flooding can easily occur.
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge: During Construction
During construction, a temporary bridge will be constructed to ensure that the same number of lanes remain open to traffic at all times.
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge: During Construction
During construction, a temporary bridge will be constructed to ensure that the same number of lanes remain open to traffic at all times.
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge: After Construction
After construction, the Coliseo and Stadium Parking Lot will be repaved and trees will be planted along the riverbank.
Roosevelt Avenue Bridge: After Construction
The existing Roosevelt Avenue Bridge will be replaced with a two-span bridge that will match the new width of the Río Piedras, essentially doubling it in width.

Lower Río Piedras River

Design & Construction Contract No. 3

The river in this portion of the project will be widened from approximately 80 feet to over 160 feet. It will also be deepened to allow water to flow downstream to the Río Puerto Nuevo through the completed section of the project.

The existing river bottom, which is natural, will be maintained. The new channel walls, which will be reinforced with 100 feet deep pile driven shafts will protect the riverbank against continued erosion. Given the channel's closeness to homes and businesses, the six feet wide concrete walls will protect both people and buildings from risk of slope failure.

Flooding in the Nemesio Canales Residential Community
During Hurricane Hortensia (1996), the Nemesio Canales Residential Community experienced devastating flooding. (Photo Credit: José Clemente)
Flooding in the Project Area
During significant storms, the Nemesio Canales Residential Community experiences flooding from the Río Piedras.
Lower Río Piedras
Project construction will deepen and widen the Río Piedras which will increase channel capacity and efficiently convey water downstream to the San Juan Bay.
Lower Río Piedras
Although concrete pile walls will reinforce the sides of the river, the river bottom will remain natural. The river will effectively double in size, expanding capacity and increasing conveyance. An access road on the western side of the channel (pictured to the right) will allow DNER access for maintenance.
Lower Río Piedras
After construction, native and/or non-invasive trees and other vegetation will be replanted to maintain a park-like space.

Construction Information

Roosevelt Avenue Bridge

Construction is ongoing at the Roosevelt Avenue Bridge. No significant traffic interruptions are expected during this time. This initial construction phase involves coordination for utility replacements such as water, telecommunications, and electricity. It also includes preliminary ground preparation for future works. Construction related activities that may impact traffic can be expected to begin in late Summer 2025.


 

The USACE Caribbean District made history in Puerto Rico’s timber industry by becoming the first federal agency to incorporate responsible tree disposal management into its construction contracts. As part of the Roosevelt Bridge Project, the District needed to remove several large trees to prepare for the demolition of the existing bridge. Instead of sending the trees to a materials management site, USACE partnered with Puerto Rico Hardwoods Inc. to repurpose the wood into boards that can be used to build custom furniture, countertops, and other works of art. This partnership allowed USACE to repurpose wood, reduce waste, and promote the responsible management of its construction project.


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  Logs from tree removal at Roosevelt Bridge Project site being prepared for repurposing by Puerto Rico Hardwoods Inc.
 
Mobilization and materials inspection activities are now underway at the Roosevelt Avenue Bridge project site. These activities will not impact traffic and are being completed in preparation for initial construction in early Spring 2025.  
 
Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner, Jenniffer González announced the commencement of the replacement work for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Avenue Bridge.

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USACE awarded a $150.7 million contract to Ferrovial Construcción PR, LLC, to replace the Roosevelt Avenue Bridge with a wider single span bridge that will improve flow and reduced accumulation of debris. 

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Lower Río Piedras River

Construction information will be released after the project is awarded to a contractor in Late 2025. 

Last Updated: July 2025