Mayor Adams Urges Feds to Fast-Track BQE Overhaul Amid Crisis

UPDATE: Mayor Eric Adams has urgently called on the federal government to accelerate the long-awaited overhaul of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), warning that without swift action, the city may face severe truck weight restrictions and extensive traffic disruptions. In a letter sent to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on October 15, Adams requested that a Notice of Intent be published by November 14 to initiate the federal environmental review for a critical 1.5-mile stretch of the BQE between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street.

The aging structure, known as the triple-cantilever, is described by Adams as “a backbone of the regional and national economy.” He emphasized that further delays could result in “significant weight restrictions” or even a “permanent closure” of the BQE, which would reroute heavy traffic onto local streets and potentially incur “billions of dollars in economic losses.”

Community groups, however, were caught off guard by Adams’ push for expedited plans. Local environmental and neighborhood organizations have been advocating for a halt to the city’s overhaul plans, expressing concerns about the lack of clarity surrounding the environmental review process. Lara Birnback, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association, voiced her apprehension, stating, “It’s very murky what exactly is being studied and what the plans are.”

The NYC Department of Transportation has proposed a comprehensive rebuild of the BQE’s deteriorating section, along with possibly capping parts of the BQE trenches in nearby neighborhoods. One of the suggested designs resembles the current triple-cantilever structure but aims to reduce the number of outwardly jutting traffic lanes.

Despite the city officials’ assurances that the environmental review will evaluate various design alternatives and solicit public input, Birnback and other community members are skeptical. “People feel the input we’ve already given wasn’t really considered,” she added.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is currently assessing the notice of intent packages from New York City and state transportation agencies, but no timeline has been provided for a decision. If the federal agency does not respond to Adams’ request, the next administration may be left to tackle the BQE project after Adams departs in January 2024.

Looking ahead, Birnback stated that the coalition is prepared to collaborate with the incoming administration to ensure that the voices of communities affected by the BQE are heard. “We’ll continue to pursue our goals and work collaboratively with any new administration — city, state, or federal,” she affirmed.

As the clock ticks down to the November deadline, the future of the BQE remains uncertain, and the pressure on federal authorities to act intensifies. The necessity for immediate repairs and a transparent planning process has never been more critical for the communities that rely on this vital thoroughfare.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.