Mayor Adams Urges Feds to Expedite BQE Overhaul Amid Urgent Safety Concerns

UPDATE: New reports confirm that New York City Mayor Eric Adams is pressing the federal government for urgent action on the long-overdue overhaul of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). In a letter sent on October 15 to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Adams demands that a Notice of Intent be published by November 14 to kickstart the federal environmental review for a critical 1.5-mile stretch of the BQE between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street.

Adams warns that without immediate federal action, the city could face significant truck weight restrictions and severe traffic disruptions. The aging triple-cantilever structure is described by Adams as “a backbone of the regional and national economy,” and he asserts that any further delay could lead to dire consequences for public safety and the regional supply chain.

As his administration nears its end in January 2024, this letter represents a last-minute push to advance the project. Adams cautions that if progress does not occur swiftly, structural issues could result in “significant weight restrictions in the short term and permanent closure in the medium term,” which could reroute heavy traffic onto local streets, causing an estimated “billions of dollars in economic losses.”

However, local environmental and neighborhood groups, caught off guard by Adams’ sudden urgency, express profound concerns. The BQE Environmental Justice Coalition, along with other advocacy organizations, argue that they have not received sufficient information on the proposed plans. Lara Birnback, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association, voiced her community’s apprehension, stating, “What exactly is going into this environmental review that they hope to start is still unclear.”

The NYC Department of Transportation has proposed various plans, including a full-scale rebuild of the crumbling triple-cantilever section, known as “BQE Central.” Other concepts involve capping portions of the BQE trenches in adjacent neighborhoods. These proposals have sparked heated debates among community members, many of whom feel that the environmental review process lacks transparency and may not genuinely consider public input.

Birnback emphasized the need for a community-led planning process, stating, “We support robust short-term repairs to keep the structure safe, but pouring billions of dollars into a highway that’s outlived its life would be a mistake.” She expressed doubts that the current administration’s environmental review would adequately address the community’s concerns, citing previous instances where their input was seemingly overlooked.

The Federal Highway Administration is currently reviewing the notice of intent packages submitted by New York City and state transportation agencies. However, no timeline for a decision has been provided, raising further uncertainty about the project’s future. If no action is taken on Adams’ plea, the responsibility may fall to the next mayor, who will inherit the unresolved issues surrounding the BQE.

Looking ahead, Birnback remains hopeful for collaboration with future leaders. “We’ll continue to pursue our goals and work constructively with any new administration—city, state, or federal—to help them understand what communities along the BQE corridor are asking for,” she said.

As the clock ticks towards the November 14 deadline, the pressure mounts on federal officials to respond, and the future of one of New York City’s most critical infrastructure projects hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation develops.