A coalition of local environmental and neighborhood organizations is calling for New York City officials to abandon the proposed overhaul and potential expansion of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE).
In a letter dated May 28, the BQE Environmental Justice Coalition addressed Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and key transportation leaders, urging them to scrap the NYC Department of Transportation’s (DOT) ambitious multi-billion-dollar project targeting the aging expressway.
The proposed plans include a full-scale rebuild of the BQE’s deteriorating triple cantilever section, referred to as “BQE central,” which spans 1.5 miles between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street in Brooklyn Heights.
The letter emphasized, “We are urging you to halt NYC DOT’s proposed multi-billion-dollar project to rebuild and potentially expand the BQE’s triple cantilever, a project that would embed this malignant roadway in our communities for generations to come.”
Lara Birnback, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association and one of the letter’s authors, expressed the urgency of the coalition’s message before the official environmental reviews commence.
She noted, “We know DOT has been preparing for that for a while, but we wanted to make sure as a coalition we were on the record voicing our concerns over the plans we’ve seen put forward so far by the DOT.”
The coalition includes representatives from various organizations, such as El Puente, Uprose, the Red Hook Initiative, Woodside on the Move, Open Plans, Riders Alliance, and the Cobble Hill Association.
Among the DOT’s proposals is the capping of certain sections of the BQE trenches in several neighborhoods. However, the 1.5-mile BQE central section is distinct as it is the only part owned by the city and has its own specific plans for reconstruction.
One such proposal involves a “stacked” approach, which would mirror the current three-tier design of the triple cantilever, but with fewer traffic lanes extending outward.
Birnback further indicated that rather than pursuing a complete reconstruction of the BQE corridor, she and her fellow coalition members favor structural repairs instead.
She argued, “The plans from DOT would put us on the hook for spending billions of dollars to maintain the status quo of the BQE as an incredibly polluting, climate-destroying, economically disadvantaging roadway through the boroughs.”
“We feel that it’s the wrong approach in this moment of time to double down on the infrastructure mistakes of the past,” she added.
Responding to the coalition’s concerns, NYC DOT released a statement indicating that environmental reviews are forthcoming.
The statement read, “NYC DOT is preparing with its state and federal partners to enter environmental review and will be soliciting feedback through this process on a range of alternatives for a long-term solution for the city-owned section of the BQE.”
It further noted that the public will have opportunities to submit suggestions and feedback as part of this federally mandated environmental process.
In the meantime, Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director for the Riders Alliance, emphasized the potential for enhancing bus service in Brooklyn amid these discussions. He particularly advocates for faster and more reliable bus services along Flatbush Avenue.
“Widening highways is dead-end public policy,” Pearlstein remarked. “Governor Hochul should take the opportunity presented by the failing BQE to improve bus service and reconnect the Brooklyn neighborhoods divided by Robert Moses.”
As of Monday morning, the coalition had not received any responses from city or state officials regarding their letter.
This community push reflects broader environmental and social justice concerns about urban infrastructure projects and their lasting impacts on neighborhoods in New York City.
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