Last week, the Adams administration has presented design ideas for the crumbling triple-cantilever section of the expressway at two community workshops. The current focus lies on the “BQE Central” which is the 1.5 mile stretch that is controlled by the City. The rest of the 18 mile long expressway is controlled by the State. The City plans to tap into federal funding for all BQE sections including the BQE Central one.
The ideas presented during the meetings are basically three variations on how to rebuild the triple cantilever, all of them are short tunnels with landscaping on top and access from Brooklyn Heights to Brooklyn Bridge Park. All ideas are taking into account the extensive community feedback of highly desired tunnels, connections between Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Promenade, less noise, air pollution and vibration, and potential direct access from the BQE to the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge. None of them are fully engineered concepts just diagrams and all create new landscapes and open space.
The tree design concepts are called “The Stoop, The Terraces and The Lookout”. Here is what we know so far:
- The designs are planned with 2 full lanes and 1 additional lane that could be used for car pooling, emergency vehicles etc. Whether various authorities allow only 2 lanes or require 3 lanes is unclear at this moment
- Some of the ideas are a one-level highway, others incorporate two to three levels
- The tunnels could end up being between 300 ft to maximum 800 ft long due to mechanical and safety requirements
- The City is not planning to acquire any private properties in the process
- Some of the concepts would absorb Furman Street, some would keep Furman Street open for local traffic
- The priority is for all concepts to keep the width of the highway as small as possible
130,000 cars travel along the BQE daily, the objective in general is to reduce the amount of individual car use, move freight to rail and water, encourage more car pooling etc. The final project will be aligned with these objectives of the City and the State. There is no timeline for construction yet but authorities expect construction to start in 2026. We are currently more than two years away from a final construction plan.
In addition to the actual BQE reconstruction the City plans to redesign various sections near the BQE entry points. Needed improvements are planned for the Atlantic Avenue interchange and Van Voorhees Park including pedestrian and bicycle safety upgrades, an upgraded Van Voorhees Park as well as closing or realigning existing ramps at Atlantic Avenue.
Old Fulton Street would also benefit from safety upgrades, limited traffic and pedestrian access between the neighborhoods Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. Other upgrades are planned for the Manhattan Bridge entry area between DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn.
The City plans more focus groups with community stakeholders and experts and will also publish a recording of the full presentation soon.
Read the statement of elect officials in Brooklyn in regards to the design proposals here.
