Congress Members Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) announced on Nov. 18 that they have written to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul opposing the New York State Department of Transportation’s latest plans for a connector road in the South Bronx.

 

The letter reads in part, “Recent reporting shows that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has planned on building a connector road in the South Bronx between Webster Avenue and Third Avenue (Connector Road 1) for at least two years. This ‘new’ connector road is separate from the proposed connector road between West Farms Road and Bronx River Avenue (Connector Road 2) that we have provided $150 million in federal funding for. In terms of Connector Road 1, this is the first we and local community leaders have heard of it.”

 

It continues, “Regarding Connector Road 2, we are strongly opposed to the direction in which the project is trending. Large infrastructure projects, however massive, should have the buy-in of local leaders to benefit those living in the community. As such, we oppose both proposed connector roads as they represent a doubling down of [urban planner and former New York Secretary of State] Robert Moses’ policies and expect to see alternate proposals from NYS DOT.

 

As you know, the ‘Reimagine the Cross Bronx’ project seeks to undo the generational economic and health impacts the Cross Bronx Expressway has had on the South Bronx. This new connector road, in its current proposed form, undermines the very goals of ‘Reimagine the Cross Bronx study.”

 

According to City officials, “Reimagine the Cross Bronx” is a collective effort with communities to re-envision the Cross Bronx Expressway from the Harlem River to the Hutchinson River Parkway, helping to reconnect the communities divided by it and lessen the negative effects it has had on surrounding neighborhoods.

 

The Cross Bronx Expressway stretches across the borough as part of Interstate 95 (I-95). Constructed between 1948 and 1972 under the public builder Robert Moses, the Cross Bronx divided the borough in a way that displaced residents and separated communities.

 

City officials say it is currently one of the most congested American interstates with some of the highest rates of traffic and collisions, and neighborhoods surrounding the corridor experience some of the worst health issues in the city.

In December 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams kicked off what was described as a landmark study to Reimagine the Cross Bronx. The U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) is funding the study with a $2 million grant as part of the “Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)” program. 

 

City officials said “Reimagine the Cross Bronx” will help improve the corridor by:

• identifying strategies to increase more sustainable travel modes;
• improving access to open space;
• increasing safety; and
• improving freight management.

 

They said the study will also inform future planning decisions on the Cross Bronx Expressway. As advised, virtual information sessions on reimagining the Cross Bronx Expressway took place on Oct. 26 and Oct. 28.

 

Meanwhile, the congress members went on to say in their letter, “In the case of Connector Road 2, this is going to be a large expansion of the Cross Bronx that will construct a new bridge across the Bronx River and bring highway traffic much closer to the Bronx River Houses. Unlike Connector Road 1, we understand that there has been some level of communication with community leaders.”

 

They continued, “However, we have been informed that they have been ignored and their thoughts disregarded when they have offered suggestions on improving the proposed road. Listening and representing those who elected us to office is the number one primary priority. Disregarding the wishes and suggestions of the local community is unacceptable.”

 

They added, “As you enter into the NEPA review for the proposed connector roads, we would appreciate a response to the following:

• Connector Road 1 as currently proposed, would overlap NYPD’s 48th precinct and FDNY Engine 46 Ladder 27. Would you plan on asking both entities to relocate to accommodate Road 1?
• If the project moves forward as suggested, what is the plan for the connector roads once the rehabilitation of the 5 bridges is complete? Will these roads remain as roadways? If they remain as roadways, will they be dedicated to buses and cyclists? Or will they accommodate private vehicular traffic as well?
• What alternatives is NYSDOT exploring to reroute traffic while rehabilitation work is underway on the 5 bridges?
• Is there an option to rehabilitate the 5 bridges without building new connector roads? If so, we would encourage NYSDOT to share this option widely.”

 

The letter concluded, “Our offices firmly believe that continuing to scar the South Bronx with more highways runs counter to the environmental and public health needs of our constituents. We thank you for your consideration of our concerns and look forward to your response.”

 

Norwood News reached out to the governor’s office on Nov. 18 for comment on the letter, which is dated Nov. 13, and a representative responded, confirming that it is under review. We will share any updates we receive.

 

Read a draft plan of the Cross Bronx Expressway here.