A coalition of Bronx residents, environmental advocates, and elected officials gathered Thursday outside a New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) public meeting to denounce a proposed $900 million plan to repair five bridges and expand the Cross Bronx Expressway.
The controversial project, which includes building a new highway structure that will widen the roadway over the Bronx River and Starlight Park, has sparked fierce opposition from a community already burdened by some of the highest pollution-related asthma rates in the country.
The group, known as the Stop the Cross Bronx Expansion coalition, organized the rally in response to a NYSDOT plan that critics say would unnecessarily expand highway infrastructure and harm the area, which would impact the roughly 3,000 public housing residents living nearby.
Advocates are urging that the $150 million portion of the plan– earmarked for roadway expansion be redirected toward safer, greener alternatives—specifically “Option 2” from NYSDOT’s own proposals, which calls for standard bridge repairs along with pedestrian and cyclist upgrade
Siddhartha Sánchez, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance, urged the state to cancel its plans to expand the roadway.
“It’s unacceptable to consider building another highway structure over the Bronx River and Starlight Park — right through the heart of our communities that already experience some of the worst air pollution in the country,” said Sánchez. “We don’t need more roads; we need less congestion and cleaner air.”
Residents argued that the proposal doubles down on decades of environmental racism and exclusionary urban planning, particularly for residents who live at the NYCHA Bronx River Houses, which is adjacent to the proposed expansion.
“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,” said Norma Saunders, president of the complex’s tenant association. “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.”
Critics also blasted NYSDOT’s public engagement process, arguing that the agency conducted limited outreach and few options to participate remotely.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson also criticized the plan, warning that it “threatens to repeat those same mistakes by adding more concrete, more traffic, and more harm.”
Residents and advocates are urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and transportation officials to choose a path that prioritizes public health, climate resiliency and community voices.
“We need trees. We need soil. We need native plants and parks,” said resident Anike Cherry. “We do not need highway expansions and fake ‘multi modal connectors.’”
