The Big Brooklyn Dig

The long rumored demolition of the BQE looks closer to reality, thanks to some DOT Billions. In it's place will be a Boston-style tunnel running the length of the west side of Brooklyn. This the best thing that could happen to Brooklyn right now, especially with real estate getting squeezed as far out as Bedstuy & Bay Ridge.

I live two blocks from the BQE, and there's no understating how much of a drag the BQE and the Belt Parkway are on the neighborhood's growth. The dust and exhaust from the highways covers the surrounding blocks in dark black soot, cars come flying off of the 3rd and 6th avenue exits onto residential streets at Highway speeds, making 65th and 60th streets some of the most accident prone in the city, and it acts as a physical barrier keeping residents from getting to the waterfront.

I often cite the The Power Broker as the most influential book I have ever read. Anyone who has ever wondered why the New York City highways are so weird and poorly constructed needs to read it. I have two copies, if you'd like to borrow one. I have also seen two copies on Joshua Mack's shelf, so I know I'm in good company. For more background on the objections made when Moses was building the BQE through Sunset Park, search inside the Power Broker on Amazon.com.