UPDATE: NYC Mayor Eric Adams is urgently calling on the federal government to expedite the long-overdue overhaul of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). In a letter sent to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on October 15, Adams warned that without swift action, the city could face severe traffic disruptions and truck weight restrictions.
Adams is demanding that the federal government publish a Notice of Intent by November 14, 2023, to kickstart the federal environmental review for the crumbling 1.5-mile stretch of the BQE between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street. This push comes as the mayor seeks to advance the project before his term ends in January.
He cautioned that if progress is not made soon, structural concerns may necessitate “significant weight restrictions in the short term and permanent closure in the medium term.” Such measures would divert heavy traffic onto local streets, leading to massive disruptions and potentially costing the city billions of dollars in economic losses.
Local environmental and community organizations, including the Brooklyn Heights Association, expressed their shock at Adams’ decision to expedite the project. They are still awaiting a substantial response to their May 28 letter addressed to Governor Kathy Hochul, Adams, and city and state transportation leaders, urging them to halt the city’s plans before the official environmental review begins.
The USDOT’s Federal Highway Administration is currently reviewing the notice of intent submissions from both city and state transportation agencies. However, no timeline has been provided for when a decision will be made, raising concerns among community advocates.
As the clock ticks toward the November deadline, the urgency of this situation cannot be understated. Residents and business owners are left anxious about the potential fallout from delayed action on the BQE. The ramifications of this project extend beyond mere traffic—impacting local economies and quality of life in Brooklyn and Queens.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the city awaits crucial federal feedback that could dictate the future of one of its busiest thoroughfares.
