Advocates ask for more time ahead of last public meeting for Cross Bronx Bridges Project
Tomorrow, Jan. 6 is the last public meeting for the Cross Bronx Bridges Project, a $900 million project by the state.
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Ahead of the last public meeting for the Cross Bronx Expressway redevelopment project, advocates told News 12 on Monday they believe the state hasn't collected enough community input.
"Our ask continues to be for the comment period to be extended, to a full 90 days," said Outreach Manager at the Bronx River Alliance, Victoria Toro.
The Cross Bronx Bridges Project was proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Department of Transportation, including repairs and structure changes to one mile of the current expressway. The project will cost $900 million and includes fixes between Boston Road and Rosedale Avenue.
"We know that the bridges need to be repaired and replaced. We think that they should do so within the existing footprint of the structure, so that they're not making worse any environmental and community health impacts," said Toro.
With studies showing the impact of noise and air pollution in nearby Bronx communities, advocates are concerned one local landmark, Starlight Park, will also be impacted.
Previous construction on the highway in 2022 left damages to the park, something advocates and community members witnessed.
"There were impacts then, there was debris in the, in the river. And there were closures because you have to bring in large girders, large amounts of concrete," said another advocate and Deputy Director at Bronx River Alliance, Daniel Ranells.
The last public meeting will be held at the Bronx River Arts Center on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
A source at the State Department of Transportation told News 12 a final design will be released early this year, after public concerns are collected.
