Tag Archives | Mayor Bill de Blasio

Former Transportation Commissioner Criticizes Mayor’s BQE Plans

Gothamist reports that former DOT Commissioner Hank Gutman, who served under Mayor Bill de Blasio, opposes the three alternative long term Brooklyn Queens Expressway plans proposed by Mayor Eric Adams’s administration. All of these plans would keep the “Central” portion of the BQE following its present route around and below Brooklyn Heights. Mr. Gutman notes […]

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Overweight Trucks on BQE to be Monitored and Penalized

As reported by Kirstyn Brendlen in the Brooklyn Paper, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law a bill, sponsored by State Senator Brian Kavanagh and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, that authorizes the city’s Department of Transportation to install up to 16 weigh stations on the BQE between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street. The technology […]

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BQE Plan Preserves Existing Highway with Lane Reduction and Repairs

CBS Local reports that “Mayor Bill de Blasio and officials” have announced the long awaited plan for the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The plan would shrink the highway from three to two lanes in each direction, which is projected to reduce traffic volume by eleven percent. Resurfacing and waterproofing of the cantilever structure would make it […]

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Brooklyn Heights Resident Hank Gutman Named City Transportation Commissioner

The Eagle reports that Henry “Hank” Gutman, a long time Brooklyn Heights resident, has been named by Mayor de Blasio as the City’s new Transportation Commissioner. According to the Eagle story, Mr. Gutman has promised to create 10,000 new bike racks by the end of 2022. The Eagle quotes him: We have an opportunity to […]

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Brooklyn Bridge to Have New Dedicated Bike Lane

The New York Times reports that Mayor de Blasio has said, as part of his State of the City address today, that he wants to convert the inner (left hand) lane on the Manhattan bound side of the Brooklyn Bridge into a dedicated eight foot wide bike path, separated from auto traffic by a barrier. […]

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The BQE is Still Crumbling

The Daily News has a piece by former City DOT Commissioner Ross Sandler, who describes in detail the ongoing process of corrosion that is weakening the supports of the cantilevered portion of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade above it. As we reported a year ago, an expert panel appointed by […]

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Rioters Smash Windows at Atlantic Avenue Businesses

Update: Sahadi’s tells us they had no windows damaged. “Our neighbors had a little graffiti but our windows and façade had zero damage.” The Bklynr story includes a photo of a boarded-over window at Urban Outfitters, which is on the opposite side of Atlantic from Sahadi’s. Bklynr reports that on Tuesday night rioters smashed windows […]

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Thousands Gather for George Floyd Vigil at Cadman Plaza

Brownstoner reports that thousands – perhaps as many as ten thousand – gathered in Cadman Plaza Park this afternoon for the vigil honoring George Floyd presented by his brother, Terrence Floyd, a Brooklyn resident. While the event was scheduled for 1:00 p.m., speakers did not arrive until about 2:00. Your correspondent was there to get some photos.There was […]

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Brother of George Floyd to Lead Memorial Vigil at Cadman Plaza Park Tomorrow.

abc7NY reports that Terrence Floyd, a Brooklyn resident and brother of the murdered George Floyd, will lead a peaceful vigil in memory of his brother tomorrow, Thursday, June 4. It will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Cadman Plaza Park. Reverend Kevin McCall, an advocate for civil rights, will address the vigil. Afterward, there will be a […]

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Willow Street Added to List of “Open Streets.”

Our ever alert and helpful friends at Brooklyn Community Board 2 have notified us that, effective now, Willow Street between Middagh and Pierrepont streets (practically its entire length) has been added to the “Open Streets” program, described in Mayor de Blasio’s press release as follows: Open Streets are simple closures of streets to vehicles and do not […]

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