Plans to expand the Cross Bronx Expressway are moving forward despite community opposition, raising concerns about public health and environmental justice in the Bronx.
A History of Harm
Nearly 70 years ago, Robert Moses oversaw the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway, an undertaking described as “severing” New York City’s only mainland borough. The highway has been a source of harm to Bronx residents ever since. Now, state officials intend to expand the expressway, a project scheduled to begin this year and continue for the next decade.
The expansion would bring congestion and pollution 50 feet closer to public housing tenants, students, park goers, and over 64,000 residents along the corridor. Decades after its initial construction, children in the Bronx continue to experience the worst asthma rates nationwide.
A Contrast in Approaches
While the state plans to expand the Cross Bronx, other areas of New York are taking a different approach. Upstate cities like Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and Buffalo are leading the nation in highway removal projects. Syracuse is currently dismantling I-81, and Rochester has already completed one demolition with another underway.
NYCHA Bronx River Houses Tenant Association President Norma Saunders has warned that pollution from the Cross Bronx Expressway is “killing residents,” including families whose children suffer from asthma. Tiffane Thorpe, a resident, has two of three children with asthma and cannot afford to move due to limited housing availability and high rents.
Alternative Solutions
State officials claim the expansion will enhance “safety,” but critics argue it will further harm communities. Alternatives to expansion include standard bridge repairs and investment in “future-forward transit alternatives” such as safer walking and biking paths and “blue highways” for goods transport. These alternatives were identified in the Reimagine the Cross Bronx Expressway study.
The state Department of Transportation is likewise facing criticism for neglecting crosstown transit options. Nearly 75% of residents on Tremont Avenue lack access to a car, and current bus service is slow and unreliable. Mayor Mamdani is working to improve bus service on Fordham Road and for Tremont, but state leaders are urged to prioritize the needs of Bronx residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Cross Bronx Expressway?
The Cross Bronx Expressway was conceived by Robert Moses and built between 1948 and 1972. It was the first highway built through a crowded urban environment in the United States.
What are the concerns regarding the expansion?
Concerns include increased congestion, toxic pollution, and negative impacts on the health of residents, particularly those living near the highway and children with asthma.
What alternatives to expansion have been proposed?
Alternatives include standard bridge repairs and investment in improved public transit, walking, and biking infrastructure.
What role do you believe community input should play in large-scale infrastructure projects like the Cross Bronx Expressway expansion?
