Local Groups Oppose BQE Rebuild Plan

By Y.M. Lowy

A group of neighborhood and environmental organizations is pushing back against the city’s plan to rebuild and expand the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Their main concern is the 1.5-mile triple cantilever sections, a part of the highway that’s badly aging and in need of repair.

In a letter sent last week to Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and transportation officials, the BQE Environmental Justice Coalition urged them to stop the project. They warned that the plan would cost billions and bring more traffic and pollution to nearby communities.

The city’s proposal includes several design options, such as rebuilding the tiered structure, reducing traffic lanes, or adding green space by covering parts of the roadway. However, the coalition argues that instead of spending billions on outdated infrastructure, the city should focus on targeted repairs and rethink how the expressway fits into the city’s future.