Last Friday, nine local elected officials sent a strongly-worded letter to DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg asking for information and transparecy on a number of outstanding questions related to the reconstruction of the BQE. Among the questions asked in the letter: 1. When do you expect to announce a new timeline for the project and, as the BQE continues to deteriorate, are there measures that can be taken to stabilize the triple cantilever and extend its useful life while ensuring the safety of all users? 2. Given that NYC DOTand NYS DOT share jurisdiction over this roadway, why has the City—and not the State—taken the lead on this project and shouldered primary responsibility for design and construction costs? 3. At their last public meeting, members of the BQE Expert Panel stated that they will be “looking at demand management strategies... that could allow capacity reduction from 6 to 4 lanes.” Will DOT be involved in analyzing this capacity reduction? At the BHA we are also eager for the answers to these questions and more! We appriciate the efforts of our local officials, including Comptroller Scott Stringer, US Representative Nydia Velazquez, US Representative Hakeem Jeffries, NYC Council Members Stephen Levin and Brad Lander, Assembly Member JoAnne Simon & State Senator Brian Kavanagh to push for information and transparency. For its part, the Mayor's Expert Panel continues its work but expects to be issuing reccomendations this fall. Chairman Scissura recently told the Brooklyn Eagle, “The panel is continuing its efforts and gathering feedback from experts. We will meet with elected officials and community groups again in September and will release the report in the fall.” The BHA and our partners continue to urge the panel and other stakeholders to craft a plan that will improve and correct the planning ideologies of the past that prioritized automobiles – dividing and destroying many of the city's historic neighborhoods. We must not just rebuild and maintain the status quo, but reimagine the future of our city, with a greater emphasis on public space and healthy walkable communities. You can read press coverage of the letter here, or read the full text of the letter here. Thank you for your continued support of the BHA as we engage on this most critical of issues for our neighborhood and the city. |