It was reported last Friday that the Mayor will unveil new plans for the BQE in May. It’s unclear whether these plans relate to just the Cantilever, and if so, whether they are the short-term emergency repairs that NYCDOT has been developing over the past year, or if the plans are more far-reaching. Our expectation is that whatever is unveiled will most likely NOT be a comprehensive or long-term vision for the entire corridor and will be largely focused on safety and shoring up the Cantilever in the immediate. Hick Street Wall Repairs DOT has returned to working on the Hicks Street Wall after a planned winter hiatus and plan to complete the repairs by the end of September. Once the work is finished, there is a possibility of having a mural installed on all or part of the wall. The BHA along with PS 8 and others are meeting with DOT to learn more about its art installation program and how we might participate. Weight In Motion & BQE Governance Legislation in Albany Our state representatives JoAnne Simon and Brian Kavanagh have crafted legislation to allow for automated ticketing of overweight trucks on the BQE. As we know, overweight truck traffic is among the leading factors causing the triple cantilever's deterioration. Tickets would be issued automatically for trucks described as substantially above the existing weight limits. Assembly member Simon and Senator Kavanagh are hopeful that this bill will pass during the current legislative session ending in June. In addition to the overweight truck bill, the BQET Coalition has been urging our state representatives to draft and pass the legislation required to create a “BQE Authority” which would oversee the funding, design, and construction of a 21st Century, sustainable roadway. In March we reviewed and commented on a draft Assembly bill which would enable such a governance body to be created. The legislation must work its way through committees in the State Assembly and Senate, but we are monitoring its progress and working with elected officials and community groups along the BQE corridor to encourage its passage. Conversations with Washington President Biden's push for a large infrastructure spending bill, along with a focus on environmental justice and repairing the destructive legacy of urban highways should be good news for our BQE efforts. In recent weeks we have had conversations with transportation staff from both Majority Leader Schumer and Senator Gillibrand’s offices to impress upon them the urgency of the BQE cause and to inform them about our coalition’s vision and goals. Earmarks are back in the House of Representatives and we submitted a proposal to the Congressmember Velazquez's office to request funding for a study to examine reducing the vehicular capacity of the roadway based on the theory of induced demand. The idea is that reduced car and truck capacity on the BQE will benefit an aging and failing infrastructure while providing benefits such as a reduction in costly and constant repair, noise and air pollution improvements, etc. The study would also explore how other modes of transport can be accommodated on the roadway and local street network, including pedestrian, bicycle, rapid bus or mass transportation and autonomous vehicles. 2021 Citywide Election Many of you have no doubt been attending forums and meet and greets with the candidates. In recent weeks the BQET Coalition created and distributed a briefing document for candidates to understand the current and historical context of the BQE and to introduce our Coalition to those who don’t know us yet. We’ve distributed this document to the majority of Mayoral candidates (those considered to be viable), Comptroller, Brooklyn Boro President, and to all the candidates from the six City Council districts which are adjacent to the BQE. We encourage you to bring up the BQE with any candidate you may be speaking to and let them know about our fight for a 21st Century greenway! |
