Work is finally underway to convert a car lane on the Queensboro Bridge into a pedestrian lane, seven years after the Department of Transportation first unveiled the plan and two years behind schedule.

DOT has been installing “suicide prevention barriers” along portions of the bridge’s South Outer Roadway in recent weeks. It’s the first step in giving the nearly 3,000 daily pedestrians and 7,000 cyclists separate space in the crossing, one of the busiest bike lanes in the city.

Cyclists, pedestrians and other micromobility users regularly collide with each other on the narrow path, and have been doing so for years – even before the number of people (and e-bikes) on the bridge skyrocketed during the pandemic.

“It’s crazy that we had to wait for the gate at all, considering the Triboro (bridge) doesn’t have one. But if this is one of the last boxes they have to check, I’m glad they checked it,” said Laura Shepard, an organizer with Transportation Alternatives in Queens.

“The city has been aware of this problem for years and it is its responsibility to ensure a safe facility for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Of the four East River bridges, the Queensboro is second in bike traffic, behind the Williamsburg Bridge, which has a wide, dedicated path. Nearly 10,000 cyclists and pedestrians use the Queensboro each day, far more than the fewer than 8,200 daily drivers who take the South Outer Roadway, DOT officials told a Manhattan community board in April.

DOT has promised to open the southern suburban road to pedestrians by the end of the summer. A politician representing the Queens side hoped the agency would keep its word.

“After years of delays, broken promises and missed deadlines, construction to convert the southbound side of the Queensboro Bridge into a pedestrian walkway has finally begun,” said Councilmember Julie Won. “I hope the Department of Transportation keeps its word and opens the walkway to pedestrians by the end of this summer, making the bridge safer for everyone who uses it.” (Summer ends on Sept. 21.)

Agency officials have pushed back the deadline several times to keep the southbound outer lane open to motorists during renovations to the bridge’s upper deck, sacrificing safety to avoid a 5 percent increase in vehicle traffic.

The delays prioritize the convenience of motorists over the safety of everyone else. People continued to collide on the existing bike-pedestrian path, even last week, according to a social media post.

“We still hear stories of accidents and injuries that could have been prevented if we had more space,” Shepard said.

DOT agreed to open both roads in 2017, and former Mayor Bill de Blasio announced in 2021 that he would complete the renovations by the end of 2022.

Once the renovation is complete, motorists will still four other lanes on the bridge to drive to the World’s Borough. The southern suburban road into Queens has been closed to cars at night for a decade because drivers were speeding off the exit ramp and crashing, including one incident that killed an off-duty police officer, QNS reported at the time.

DOT officials listed the anti-suicide barrier as a requirement for any future pedestrian path, along with new infrastructure at both ends of the viaduct.

The agency will build a new concrete pedestrian landing pad on the Long Island City side, and construct crosswalks and sidewalk extensions to connect to Second Avenue in Manhattan.

According to officials, some of the new infrastructure will still be under construction after the trail opens to hikers.

DOT declined to comment.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you can reach emergency services 24/7 via 988. They will listen to you and support you. If you are unable to intervene yourself or if you are in immediate danger due to a health condition or another situation, call 112.