By Y.M. Lowy

New York City is looking for a top engineer to fix the aging triple-cantilever section of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

The NYC DOT recently posted a job opening for an assistant commissioner who will oversee the future of the BQE section between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street, a stretch of roadway used by about 130,000 vehicles every day.

The 0.4-mile elevated highway section, located beneath the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, has been a major concern for city officials for years. In 2018, the city warned that the structure could face serious problems without major repairs, leading to a debate over how best to rebuild it.

A previous proposal called for constructing a temporary highway above the promenade while the BQE was rebuilt, but the plan was dropped after strong opposition from Brooklyn Heights residents.

Since then, the city has kept the structure operating through repairs, lane reductions, weight restrictions, and sensors to identify overweight trucks. However, a permanent solution has yet to be decided.

Transportation Commissioner Michael Flynn has said the city must move forward with a long-term fix, and the new position is expected to give one official broad responsibility for guiding the project.

The person selected will oversee planning, environmental reviews, coordination with state and federal agencies, and communication with nearby communities as the city determines the future of the heavily used roadway.