BQE Construction Delayed Until 2028

By Idy Perl

Major construction work that was expected to start on the BQE has been delayed for at least 5 more years, as per an update announced yesterday.

DOT executive deputy commissioner Paul Ochoa explained that the federal government rejected the city grant applications to redesign and repair the highway. The Adams administration presented a few proposals in 2022 to reimagine the current highway at a cost of approximately $5.5 billion, which was not well received by local officials and was rejected by the Biden administration without a given reason. The DOT has just enough funds to continue making spot repairs to keep the highway open and functioning until it can be completely redone. 

This announcement comes after de Blasio’s administration said in 2020 that the BQE might be unsafe for travel as early as 2026.