Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2023
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
NYC DOT Reminds New Yorkers of Closures on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway This Weekend — October 14th-16th — for Necessary Deck Repair Work; Motorists Should Avoid the BQE on Brooklyn
Motorists will be detoured in the Queens-bound direction during this historically lower-volume travel weekend;
NYC DOT launched media campaign targeted local communities to keep them notified of closures and detours
New York — New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today reminded New Yorkers of expected closures this weekend for necessary repair and replacement work to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Brooklyn, including full closures between the Atlantic Avenue entrance ramp and the Manhattan Bridge exit ramp in the Queens-bound direction. There will also be partial lane closures at the same time in the Staten Island-bound direction. Closures begin Saturday, October 14th at 2 a.m. through Monday, October 16th at 4 a.m. NYC DOT also began a public notification campaign last week geared to local neighborhoods and communities ahead of the closures and detours. The repairs focus on new concrete and reinforcing steel bars being added at spans on the BQE near Clark Street and Grace Court as part of near-term work critical to the structure's lifespan.
NYC DOT has underscored the importance that motorists avoid the BQE in Brooklyn this week, and also discourages driving near the Downtown Brooklyn area due to expected congested traffic conditions, urging the use of public transportation.
"This is critical work to preserve the BQE while at the same time trying to minimize impact on the local community," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "Our public outreach campaign is underway and we will keep the public closely updated throughout the weekend."
Details of BQE Closures and Detours from October 14th to October 16th
The Queens-bound BQE will be fully closed from Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street from Saturday, October 14th at 2 a.m. to Monday, October 16th at 4 a.m.
During the same timeframe, the Staten Island-bound BQE will be reduced to one lane of traffic between Sands Street and Atlantic Avenue.
Travelers are strongly encouraged to avoid the BQE during scheduled closures.
Expect extended travel times. Detours will be heavily signed. Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be posted throughout Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
Additional Travel Restrictions
- Parking Impacts to Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street
- Atlantic Avenue eastbound left turn onto Hicks Street banned (except for buses)
- Atlantic Avenue eastbound left turn onto Clinton Street banned (except for buses)
- Bus Stops B61 and B63 at Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue will be redirected to Atlantic and Henry Street and rerouted via Congress Street and Hicks Street to Atlantic Avenue
- Furman Street will be one-way southbound from Old Fulton Street to Atlantic Avenue
Additional Travel Restrictions in Manhattan
- Canal Street detours between Forsyth Street and Allen Street, and Chrystie Street and Forsyth Street
Ramp closures associated with work October 14th to 16th
Queens-Bound
- 3rd Ave entrance Ramp
- 6th Ave entrance ramp
- Prospect Expressway Entrance Ramp
- Hamilton Avenue Entrance Ramp
- Atlantic Avenue Entrance Ramp
- Cadman Plaza Exit Ramp
- Brooklyn Bridge Exit Ramp
- Manhattan Bridge Exit Ramp
Staten Island Bound
- Flushing Avenue Entrance Ramp
- Sands Street Entrance Ramp
- Vine Street Entrance Ramp
Queens-Bound Atlantic Avenue Detour
- All Queens-bound vehicles must exit at Atlantic Avenue
- Left onto Boerum Place
- Right onto Tillary Street and take ramp onto BQE
Queens-Bound Third Avenue Entrance Ramp Detour
- Exit Gowanus Expressway at Exit 21 to Third Avenue (Brooklyn)
- Travel along Third Avenue
- Left onto Flatbush Avenue
- Right onto Tillary Street and take ramp onto BQE
Queens-Bound Prospect Expressway Entrance Ramp Detour
- Travel along the Prospect Expressway towards Gowanus Expressway
- Exit Gowanus Expressway at Hamilton Avenue
- Take a right onto Hicks Street
- Take a right onto Atlantic Avenue
- Take a left onto Boerum Place
- Take a right onto Tillary Street and take ramp onto BQE
Queens-Bound Linden Boulevard Detour
- Exit Gowanus Expressway at Prospect Expressway
- Exit at 10th Avenue
- Turn right onto 10th Avenue
- Turn left onto McDonald Avenue
- Turn left onto Caton Avenue
- Continue onto Linden Boulevard
- Detour routes to Conduit Avenue with connections to Nassau Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway, and the Long Island Expressway via the Van Wyck Expressway
Staten Island-Bound Sands Street Entrance Ramp Detour
- Turn right onto Gold Street from Sands Street
- Turn right onto Tillary Street
- Turn left onto Flatbush Avenue
- Turn right onto Fourth Avenue
- Turn right onto Prospect Avenue and take ramp onto Gowanus Expressway
Staten Island-Bound Vine Street Detour for Drivers Coming off the Brooklyn Bridge:
- Exit at Cadman Plaza
- Turn right at Cadman Plaza West
- Slight left onto Old Fulton Street
- Turn left onto Furman Street
- Turn left onto Atlantic Avenue
- Turn right onto Columbia Street
- Enter BQE at Columbia Street entrance ramp
Staten Island-Bound Flushing Avenue Detour
- Take Williamsburg Street West to Park Avenue
- Turn left onto Washington Avenue
- Turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
- Turn left onto Third Avenue
- Take the entrance ramp onto the Gowanus Expressway
