The New York City Council has selected Arup –the globally respected engineering and design firm – to provide independent, outside expertise on the New York City Department of Transportation's Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Rehabilitation/Replacement Project.

Arup will provide technical expertise to the Council and community on this critical infrastructure project, reviewing engineering reports of the triple cantilever structure, and assessing the feasibility of the numerous public proposals from DOT and other groups. This effort comes in response to DOT's proposal to temporarily replace the Brooklyn Heights Promenade with a six-lane highway while the rest of the cantilever structure is rebuilt.

As the city looks to spend billions of dollars to improve and expand the BQE, the Council wants to make sure the project is done in a way that reflects our current transportation priorities and minimally impacts the adjacent communities during construction and in the future. Drawing on Arup's extensive experience in civil, highway, and bridge engineering and their visionary approach to urban transportation – including their work on the Allston I-90 viaduct replacement project in Boston – this process will review DOT's assessment of the current structure, incorporate feedback from local groups and elected officials to make sure their concerns are heard and acted on, evaluate the proposals put forward, and potentially develop alternatives.

This independent review will help the Council more informed decision about the future of the BQE and help to shape potential alternatives being analyzed in the EIS.

"I'm very excited Arup has agreed to work with the Council to ensure that we don't just rebuild a highway but look at our transportation infrastructure in a holistic way. Many compelling ideas have been put forward by the neighboring communities and we need to make sure the public understands all of our options and the tradeoffs associated with each of them before we can move forward with any plan," said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

"We'd like to thank the Council for selecting Arup. We're excited about this opportunity to advise and support the Council in achieving their goal of a holistic and sustainable solution to improve this complex link in the City's network of transportation infrastructure," said John Karn, Arup Principal.

"I applaud the Council's selection of leading engineering firm Arup to conduct an independent review of the New York City Department of Transportation's Brooklyn-Queens Expressway Rehabilitation/Replacement Project," said Council Member Stephen Levin. "This project will leave a lasting impact on our communities for generations to come and it is vital that we thoroughly examine all options on the table and consider new alternatives as needed. I look forward to working with Arup, local stakeholders and elected officials, and administrative experts to ensure this process meets our citywide goals and moves forward with thorough community input and independent expertise."

"I'm glad that we will have the benefit of Arup's expertise as we consider the proposals on the table to address our critical infrastructure needs. My hope is that we can make the process to repair this critical artery into an opportunity to re-envision our transportation options and build for our city's future in partnership with neighboring communities," said Council Member Brad Lander.

"It is important that with any major reconstruction projects in the City's infrastructure, we take the appropriate steps and oversight to ensure all stakeholders are heard," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation. "I am confident that the firm chosen will come with the expertise needed to help the City make better informed decisions about the BQE and that the City will consider all possible options to ensure the success of the BQE reconstruction.

Source: Patch

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