Pop-up Art Installation "Let Us Breathe" Exposes Cross Bronx Expansion Risks for 3K+ Public Housing Residents

Closing out Earth Week, a pop-up art installation will spotlight the immediate health and environmental harm of the state's planned Cross Bronx expansion for local residents at Bronx River Houses, with the project's final design deadline days away

BRONX, NY (04/24/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, outside Bronx River Houses, advocates and impacted public housing residents will present "Let Us Breathe," a temporary art installation that symbolizes the severe health burdens and unsafe living conditions a temporary art installation that symbolizes the severe health burdens and unsafe living conditions that more than 3,000 residents have faced living just feet from the Cross Bronx Expressway for over 60 years. With the project's final design plan and environmental determination due in less than two weeks, Governor Hochul and the State Department of Transportation are still advancing plans to widen the Cross Bronx by another 50 feet in the direction of Bronx River Houses where families are already battling some of the highest asthma rates in New York City.

Situated right at the intersection between Bronx River Houses and the Cross Bronx, the installation will spotlight the air quality crisis gripping this frontline community, amid the threat of a wider, more polluting highway that could soon drive heavy truck traffic up by as much as 33%.

WHO:

Stop the Cross Bronx Expansion Coalition

Bronx River Houses

Lovie Pignata, Bronx-based artist

[List in formation]
WHAT:

Ahead of the state’s final decision for the Cross Bronx 5 Bridges project, advocates and impacted community members will unveil a new pop-up art installation exposing the risks of a bigger Cross Bronx for more than 3,000 public housing residents living across the street at Bronx River Houses.
WHEN: Friday April 24, 2026 at 03:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Bronx River Houses
1455 Harrod Avenue
Bronx , New York 10459
NOTES: