Congressman Ritchie Torres and Bronx River Alliance Host Presser Urging Governor Hochul To Halt Cross Bronx Expansion

Today, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and the Bronx River Alliance hosted a press conference in Starlight Park urging against the expansion of the Cross Bronx Expressway. 

Earlier this month, Reps. Torres and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote to Governor Hochul regarding the New York State Department of Transportation’s plans for a connector road in the South Bronx. An excerpt from their letter reads: “As you know, the ‘Reimagining the Cross Bronx’ project seeks to undo the generational economic and health impacts the Cross Bronx Expressway has had on the South Bronx. This new connector road – in its current proposed form – undermines the very goals of ‘Reimagining the Cross Bronx’ study.”

On today’s presser, Siddhartha Sánchez, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance, said:

“The tremendous progress that we’ve seen in the Bronx over the past several decades has come from the elevation of community-based visions, implemented through deep and meaningful partnership with partners in government. But this Cross Bronx Expressway plan is a throwback of the worst type – in a Robert Moses style with highway engineers working in secret to hoist destructive plans on a community they don’t believe knows what’s best for itself. With the public health crises we are facing, all we now know about climate change and the public participation that is necessary for democracy, we are calling on NY State to plan with the Bronx community to meet the mobility and environmental needs we have identified.”

Norma Saunders, president of the Tenant Association for Bronx River Houses, said:

“Currently, the air pollution from the Cross Bronx Expressway is so toxic that those of us who live in Bronx River Houses cannot open our windows. Ever. The idea that the State wants to make it wider to add traffic and bring it even closer to our homes is like a death threat. We should be trying to reduce traffic and pollution — not putting money into plans, concocted in secret, that will make it worse.”

Rafael Moure-Punnett, District Manager of Bronx Community Board 6, said:

“New York State DOT’s proposal for a new service road along the Cross Bronx Expressway is a slap in the face to Bronx residents. Bronx Community Board 6 and the elected leadership of the Bronx have raised concerns about the design, environmental impact, and increased pollution Bronx residents will be exposed to if this road is built. The response letter the Community Board received from NYSDOT did not even attempt to answer any of our questions.”