The New York City Department of Transportation is planning on making some upgrades to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.  

The DOT held a public workshop on Tuesday, their third regarding the BQE so far, at Brooklyn Friends School. Their goal for the BQE changes is to fix how the highway currently acts as a barrier between BQE Central and the waterfront.  

BQE Central refers to the highway between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street, the city’s portion of the roadway. The DOT says they want to enhance open space and connectivity in that area while preserving its historic nature.  

After receiving feedback from over 2,000 New Yorkers, the DOT has narrowed their choices down to three designs that they showed to the community tonight. Now, they’re relying on the community to help them make a final decision.  

“It’s important for residence and New York City citizens to get involved and know what’s going on in their immediate neighborhood and to show up and know they can have an impact,” said Donna McGill, a resident at Tuesday’s public hearing.  

For Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, he hopes the DOT will go with the option that reduces the number of cars on the road.  

“Anything that keep us in a two-lane highway is better than the three lanes,” said Reynoso. “The amount of pollution that runs through this area, the millions of cars that would reduce because of the two lane versus three lane is significant… we've got to look out for the interest of the health of the people." 

Construction is not set to start for another four years.