Walkers stroll along the paths of Pier 1, six new...

Walkers stroll along the paths of Pier 1, six new acres of park including 1,300 feet of promenade along the East River, and two and a half acres of lawn with sweeping views of the New York harbor, the Manhattan skyline, and the Brooklyn Bridge in DUMBO, Brooklyn. (April 2, 2010) Credit: Newsday/Rebecca Cooney

Vice President Joe Biden is helping mark the start of a Brooklyn Bridge makeover that’s partly funded with
federal economic recovery act money.

The $500 million project is now getting started and is set for completion in 2014. It involves repainting the historic bridge and expanding the approach ramps to improve traffic flow.

The recovery act provided $30 million for the project. The rest of comes from the city and other federal sources.

Biden was scheduled to discuss the bridge project Wednesday afternoon with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The Obama administration has recently been seeking to promote the president’s economic policies and show Americans the economy is improving.

The unemployment rate rose to 9.9 percent in April, up from 9.7 percent for the first three months of the year.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

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