Mayor Eric Mamdani announced Tuesday that New York City will construct a temporary highway along Furman Street in Brooklyn Heights. The new roadway will provide a detour while crews rebuild the adjacent triple‑cantilever segment of the Brooklyn‑Queens Expressway, a portion that has been identified as crumbling and in need of extensive repair.
The temporary highway will run directly on Furman Street, situated just north of the BQE’s problematic section. By creating an alternate route, the city aims to keep traffic flowing and maintain connectivity for commuters while the main expressway is taken out of service for reconstruction. The project is being positioned as a critical step toward restoring the structural integrity of the BQE, a key artery linking Brooklyn and Queens.
Officials described the undertaking as the largest infrastructure effort the city has launched since Mayor Mamdani took office at the beginning of the year. The scale of the plan reflects the administration’s focus on addressing aging transportation assets that affect daily travel for millions of New Yorkers. While specific timelines for the temporary road’s construction were not disclosed, the city emphasized that the measure is essential to safely complete the triple‑cantilever repairs.
The decision follows a series of evaluations that highlighted the deteriorating condition of the BQE segment. By diverting traffic onto a purpose‑built temporary highway, engineers will have the space needed to perform the necessary structural work without the complications of live traffic on the existing expressway. The initiative underscores the city’s commitment to maintaining vital infrastructure and ensuring that the BQE can continue to serve as a reliable conduit for regional traffic once the repairs are finished.
Mayor Mamdani’s announcement signals a proactive approach to infrastructure renewal, aligning with broader goals set out at the start of his term. The temporary Furman Street highway is expected to play a pivotal role in the overall project, enabling the city to address a long‑standing safety concern while minimizing disruption to commuters.