NYC DOT actually responded to my email.

The wards island/103rd street bridge officially opens at 6:30 a.m. and will be fully closed november 21st. At which time it's back to the fifty ninth street bridge or try to figure out the route from 125th street probably adding close to another two miles to my morning commute.... Hmmmm.... We shall see.

Edit: I received another email that now states october 31st is the last day the bridge will be open.... *sigh*