South Slope Bridge Over BQE To Be Rebuilt In $29M State Project

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN —A reconstruction of the 5th Avenue Bridge — which runs over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in the South Slope area is one of 109 infrastructure projects designated for funding in the latest round of the state's "Bridge NY" initiative.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday said $216 million would be allocated to 88 local governments, located in every region, to rehabilitate and replace local bridges and culverts. The 5th Ave. Bridge reconstruction is the only New York City project on the list.

Albany has allocated $29.4 million to the New York City Department of Transportation to replace the bridge, which runs under a stretch of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, according to a release.

Hochul said the "Bridge NY" initiative is designed to provide essential funding to enhance the safety, resiliency and reliability of critical municipally-owned infrastructure.

"We must continue to make these strategic investments in our local communities to protect our residents from the increased frequency of extreme weather events, as well as to provide New Yorkers with the modernized and streamlined infrastructure they deserve," Hochul said.

The governor's office pointed out that the program builds upon nearly $500 million previously awarded under the "Bridge NY" initiative.

The projects, according to the governor's office, were selected based on several factors, including: structural condition and susceptibility of the bridge or culvert to flooding and/or scour, the significance of the bridge or culvert based on detour considerations and the number and types of businesses served, and the overall impact on the movement of commerce.

"Governor Hochul recognizes the importance of investing in our state's communities and transportation infrastructure as being fundamental to our state's longer-term environmental and economic sustainability," said Marie Therese Dominguez, commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

"The funding announced today is providing the support to make our local communities stronger, our infrastructure more resilient and our state more equipped to mitigate the impacts of climate change."