NYC Reminds New Yorkers of Closures on Brooklyn-Queens Expressway This Weekend

New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today reminded New Yorkers of expected closures this weekend for necessary repair and replacement work in mid-April to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Brooklyn, including full closures between the Atlantic Avenue entrance ramp and the Manhattan Bridge exit ramp in the Queens-bound direction.

Closures will begin Saturday, April 13 at 2 a.m. through Monday, April 15 at 4 a.m. NYC DOT also continued a public notification campaign geared to local neighborhoods and communities ahead of the closures and detours. 

The repairs, which build on successful repair work conducted in October 2023, focus on new concrete and reinforcing steel bars being added at spans on the BQE near Clark Street and Grace Court as part of near-term work critical to extending the structure’s lifespan.

These weekend repairs will be followed by a final, similar round of repairs expected to occur on June 1 to 3.

“Just as we did successfully last fall, we continue to deliver critical repairs to the BQE to preserve its lifespan while minimizing the impact on the local community,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “I encourage all New Yorkers to avoid the BQE in Brooklyn this weekend and to take mass transit.”

Details of BQE Closures and Detours from April 13 to April 15

The Queens-bound BQE will be fully closed from Atlantic Avenue to Sands Street from Saturday, April 13 at 2 a.m. to Monday, April 15 at 4 a.m.

Travelers are strongly encouraged to avoid the BQE during scheduled closures.

• Expect extended travel times.
• Detours will be heavily signed. Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be posted throughout Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, to inform informing travelers of closures & detours and encourage alternate modes of transit.
• Traffic Enforcement Agents (TEAs) and pedestrian managers will be posted at key intersections.

Additional Travel Restrictions

• Atlantic Avenue eastbound left turn onto Hicks Street banned (except for buses)
• Atlantic Avenue eastbound left turn onto Clinton Street banned (except for buses)

Ramp closures associated with work April 13 to 15

Queens-Bound

• 3^rd Ave at 65^th Street entrance Ramp
• 6^th Ave at 65^th Street entrance Ramp
• Prospect Expressway Entrance Ramp
• Hamilton Avenue Entrance Ramp
• Atlantic Avenue Entrance Ramp
• Cadman Plaza Exit Ramp
• Brooklyn Bridge Exit Ramp
• Manhattan Bridge Exit Ramp

Queens-Bound Atlantic Avenue Detour

• All Queens-bound vehicles must exit at Atlantic Avenue
• Left onto Boerum Place
• Right onto Tillary Street and take ramp onto BQE

Queens-Bound 3rd Avenue Entrance Ramp Detour

• Exit Gowanus Expressway at Exit 21 to 3rd Avenue (Brooklyn)
• Travel along 3rd Avenue
• Left onto Flatbush Avenue
• Right onto Tillary Street and take ramp onto BQE

Queens-Bound Prospect Expressway Entrance Ramp Detour

• Travel along the Prospect Expressway towards Gowanus Expressway
• Exit Gowanus Expressway at Hamilton Avenue
• Take a right onto Hicks Street
• Take a right onto Atlantic Avenue
• Take a left onto Boerum Place
• Take a right onto Tillary Street and take ramp onto BQE

Queens-Bound Linden Boulevard Detour

• Exit Gowanus Expressway at Prospect Expressway
• Exit at 10^th Avenue
• Turn right onto 10^th Avenue
• Turn left onto McDonald Avenue
• Turn left onto Caton Avenue
• Continue onto Linden Boulevard
• Detour routes to Conduit Avenue with connections to Nassau Expressway, Van Wyck Expressway, and the Long Island Expressway via the Van Wyck Expressway