Bronxites to DOT: Hit the Brakes on Cross Bronx Expansion, Greenlight Community Health & Safety

BRONX, NY (03/09/2026) (readMedia)-- On Monday, ahead of tomorrow's federal deadline to finalize the project's environmental determination, Bronx residents and environmental justice lawyers will hold a virtual press conference urging Governor Hochul and the State Department of Transportation to halt all remaining plans for a bigger Cross Bronx and repair the highway within its existing footprint. With construction slated for this spring, officials are considering expanding the Cross Bronx 50 feet closer to 3,000 public housing residents already battling toxic air quality across the street.

Join the Zoom conference here.

During the original public comment period, community members identified significant health and environmental impacts for the 64,000-plus residents living along the sited project area - all tied to the state's expansion plans. Despite repeated requests to extend the public comment period and explore safer project alternatives with community members, state officials have sidestepped both asks after granting Bronxites only the holiday season to review the nearly 6000-page environmental assessment. Under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, impacted residents have up to 4 months to appeal NYSDOT's final decision, if officials move forward with an expansion.