09/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2024 08:52
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, [email protected]
Remaining Lanes Along a 300-Foot Segment, in Addition to Necessary Staging Space, Are Needed the Next Two Consecutive Weekends for the Installation of Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) Equipment
The Second Weekend Will Also Include the Closure of the Sands Street Entrance Ramp to the Staten Island-Bound Roadway
NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced one travel lane will be in open along a brief stretch of the Staten Island-bound BQE in Downtown Brooklyn for the next two consecutive weekends, September 14-16 and September 21-23. This will occur to facilitate the installation of successful weigh-in-motion (WIM) equipment along this section of the roadway.
"Weigh-in-motion technology has proven successful along the BQE in areas where it's installed, leading to a 64 percent reduction in overweight vehicles along the triple cantilever," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "These limited lane closures are necessary for us to continue to keep overweight trucks off the BQE and we advise drivers to take mass transit or seek alternate routes if possible."
One lane will remain open on the Staten Island-bound BQE for a brief stretch of Adams Street to Washington Street from 1 A.M. both Saturdays to 5 A.M. each Monday.
During the weekend of September 21-23 only, the Sands Street Entrance Ramp to the Staten Island bound roadway will be closed.
VMS Boards will be deployed in advance of the lane closures and overhead signs will message the lane closures along the system.
NYC DOT currently operates WIM enforcement on the Queens-bound portion of the BQE triple cantilever in downtown Brooklyn, a portion of the I-278 highway known as 'BQE Central.' During the first seven months of automated enforcement, a monthly average of 2,769 overweight trucks crossed the triple cantilever. Prior to the launch, a monthly average of 7,777 overweight trucks had traveled the same portion of the highway the seven months leading up to the launch of the program.
"WIM technology has proven to significantly reduce the presence of illegal overweight trucks on the Queens bound BQE and I am pleased we will now finally see a similar reduction of dangerous trucks on the Staten Island bound lanes," said Councilmember Lincoln Restler. "This implementation of WIM technology will extend the lifespan of the BQE Triple Cantilever."