Adams Seeks Cut to Funding for BQE Repairs This Year

According to AMNY Mayor Adams and the city’s Department of Transportation want to reduce DOT’s budget for repair work on the crumbling Brooklyn-Queens Expressway this year from $225.1 million to $44.6 million, with the reduction of $180.5 million preserved for use in later years.

The AMNY story quotes City Council Member Lincoln Restler, whose district includes Brooklyn Heights, at the May 12 budget hearing for the DOT:

The dramatic reductions in funding by upwards of $180 million that should have been spent this year… is of grave concern and, frankly, is indicative of the lack of urgency the DOT is placing on making the necessary repairs at this location.

The Brooklyn Heights Association has also objected; Spectrum News ny1 quotes the BHA:

The idea that the city isn’t doing everything in its power to prevent a predictable catastrophe is reckless and unconscionable,” the association said in its statement. “We are almost halfway through 2022, and neighbors all along the Cantilever are reporting increased levels of rumblings, vibrations, and just a few weeks ago photos of falling debris from the underside of the structure were sent to DOT.

The BHA goes on to note: “Anyone who questions the disastrous impact of salt and water corrosion on concrete and rebar need only look to the Surfside [collapse] in Florida.”

Both the AMNY and ny1 stories quote DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez as saying there is “no issue related to safety” because of moving the budgeted funds to later years. AMNY reports, “The mayor’s press office declined to comment.”

Share this Story:

, , , , ,

  • Andrew Porter

    The city will need the money to cover the cost of reimbursing people for their suffering and loss when something suddenly fails, killing numerous people.

    Or they could remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

    Old photo of rebar, now rusted and crumbling:
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7963a8ea3dd8dd9979ef5e598c941639fcee4838af1ff7206dbf259f2ee13e3d.jpg

  • Mike Suko

    I know the City has many needs, but if a new Mayor – “son of Bklyn,” no less – kicks the can down the road when there’s actually no obvious shortage of funds, one has to wonder – not for the first time – about his decision-making skills.

    When other, smarter people were managing his messaging – i.e., when he campaigned not even 6 months back – he sometimes sounded “nuanced.” Now, it’s all about “more policing” – mostly to send a message to NYC’s Republicans and Democrats in name only that he shares their concern. And not much else. Some terrible appointments, NOTHING re the housing crisis and no trimming of the super-sized municipal work force.

    How much “infrastructure money” have Biden-Schumer sent our way? How WILL IT be spent?

  • TeddyNYC

    I hope it doesn’t happen, but if it does, I hope someone at the press conference he’ll hold on Furman Street reminds him in front of the cameras that he cut the funds that could’ve prevented this tragedy.

  • aeshtron

    Eric Adams is a poopy head.

  • A neighbor

    This is when you find out who a politician really is.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    Unfortunately, most of the time, we don’t find out till post election.

  • A neighbor

    I’m thinking someone should alert Corp Counsel that he’s inviting liability. Also the Times needs to get on this.