New York City is considering the possibility of building temporary bypasses over the BQE and the approach to the Brooklyn Bridge while repairing parts of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

News 12 previously reported that Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Department of Transportation announced plans to repair a part of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street. Repairs would include things like fixing deteriorating portions of the expressway, lighting, etc.

A proposal suggests building temporary roadways, or bypasses, while construction is being done to avoid traffic on local streets, as the city says about 130,000 cars go on the BQE every day.

“I think it’s a great, splendid idea what they’re doing. So nothing stops, everything keeps flowing and the work continues," said Bryan Edwards.

“That sounds scary. I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn't take that road. I'm not taking a built road that's just built recently. We don't even know how long it's going to last. No, I wouldn't do it," said Lori Moorehead.

The proposal suggests construction would be from 2029-2040 and the building and dismantling of the temporary bypasses would coincide with that.

“I have concerns because construction in NYC is forever. They start it, we don’t have the funds and then we’re stuck," said Moorehead.

Catherine Harris says the repairs are the primary concern.

“It definitely needs the repairs. I've been driving for 45 years. They've been repairing the BQE since I got my license. It's been a while. We need something done. It looks really bad," said Harris.

The plan is not finalized. A spokesperson with the NYC DOT tells News 12 engineers are continually refining plans and planning is still in progress.

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