The city is planning a $3.5 to $4 billion rehab of the 1.5‑mile central BQE segment in Brooklyn, including the triple cantilever under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, to extend the structure’s life by about 40 years.

To keep traffic moving during construction, two temporary bypasses will be built: a Furman Street bypass to Atlantic Avenue and another from Columbia Heights over the BQE toward the Manhattan Bridge, both to be removed after work.

Construction is expected to start between 2029 and 2030 and run roughly ten years, with completion targeted around 2040 according to official documents.

Transportation Commissioner Michael Flynn framed the plan as urgently needed, balancing cost and minimizing community disruption, noting that prior interim fixes were insufficient.

The Department of Transportation will lead the review process and coordinate public engagement as the plan progresses.

Supporters expect the rehab to restore structural safety and extend the highway’s service life, while critics warn of potential environmental and health burdens on nearby communities if not carefully managed.

Lawmakers from the city and state are calling for greater transparency, stronger air-quality protections, and better linkage to Brooklyn Bridge Park in the plan.

The plan acknowledges the BQE’s legacy and past planning controversies, while arguing that delaying action would worsen conditions given the current state of the structure.

City officials, including the mayor and DOT Commissioner, as well as the Deputy Mayor for Operations, emphasize urgency, safety, and reducing risks to New Yorkers.

The affected 1.5‑mile stretch carries about 130,000 vehicles daily, exceeding its design capacity and fueling congestion and safety concerns.

City officials say the plan will address critical infrastructure without major traffic disruption or compromising the Promenade’s views.

The project will go through the City Environmental Quality Review process, with an environmental impact statement anticipated in summer 2028 and public input sessions, including virtual Q&As in October 2026.