New York (NY) Governor Andrew Cuomo has revealed details of the $1.8bn project, which will see the transformation of the South Bronx region with the reconstruction of the Bruckner-Sheridan interchange.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYDOT) is seeking the de-designation of the Sheridan Expressway as an interstate and instead replace it with a boulevard design that will integrate and bring together the Crotona Park, West Farms, Bronx River, and Soundview neighbourhoods.

In addition to a number of pedestrian and cyclist friendly features, the boulevard will include grade crossings with direct access to Starlight Park and the Bronx River Waterfront Greenway.

"The project will create an interconnected South Bronx with access to the Waterfront, recreation, and less traffic on local streets while simultaneously better supporting those who use the Hunts Point Market."

Cuomo said: "While plans have been proposed and languished for decades, we're taking action to finally right the wrongs of the past by reconnecting South Bronx communities that have dealt with unnecessary barriers to revitalisation and growth.

"The project will create an interconnected South Bronx with access to the Waterfront, recreation, and less traffic on local streets while simultaneously better supporting those who use the Hunts Point Market, a vital economic engine for the borough."

Both the Bronx River waterfront and Starlight Park were closed to the community for decades by the highway authorities.

Upon completion, the project will also provide direct access to the Hunts Point Market, which is reported to be one of the largest food distribution centres in the world, from both the Bruckner Expressway and the new Sheridan Boulevard.

Each day around 78,000 vehicles that includes 13,000 trucks, travel to the Hunts Point Peninsula using local roads, affecting the air quality in the community.

The government anticipates that the changes would take traffic off local roadways, and improve air quality, as well as reduce noise pollution levels.

The transformational project is expected to create approximately 4,250 new jobs.

The $1.8bn project will be carried out in multiple phases, and the first phase of the project will receive $700m in this year's budget.