To be quite honest, the BQE is something of our nightmares, so it’s only fitting that this weekend, in the midst of spooky season, it’s going to cause even more of a headache as the NYC DOT announced it will be closing for “necessary repair and replacement work.”
On the bright side, we can only hope that these repairs will make driving on the BQE a bit more bearable–especially paired with the new design concepts that were revealed earlier this year for a totally re-envisioned BQE.
Here’s everything you need to know before jumping in the car this weekend:
When will the BQE be closed?
Sections of the BQE–specifically the triple cantilever portion–will be closed beginning Saturday, October 14th, at 2 a.m. It’ll be closed through 4 a.m. on Monday, October 16th.
Which parts of the BQE will be closed?
During these repairs, the following sections of the BQE will be closed:
- Queens-bound portion between Atlantic Avenue & Sands Street
- Queens-bound entrance ramps at 3rd Avenue, 6th Avenue, Prospect Expressway, Hamilton Avenue, & Atlantic Avenue
- Staten Island-bound entrance ramps at Flushing Avenue, Sands Street, & Vine Street
- Exit ramps at Cadman Plaza, the Brooklyn Bridge, & the Manhattan Bridge
In addition to these closures, Staten Island-bound traffic will be reduced to one lane between Sands Street and Atlantic Avenue.
Will the repairs affect public transportation?
Bus stops on the B67 and B79 lines at Pearl and Sands Streets will also be closed. No other public transportation will be affected.
What if I still need to drive in the area?
During the BQE closure traffic in the area will be redirected to local streets–appropriate signage will tell you where to go. It’s recommended, however, that you allow extra time for travel.
Detour maps can be found on the NYC DOT’s website.
What repairs are being done?
The NYC DOT will be adding additional concrete and reinforcing steel bars to stretches of the crumbling cantilever near Clark Street and Grace Court.
According to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, the repairs are being done to “preserve [the BQE’s] lifespan while at the same time trying to minimize impact on the local community.”