Citizens of the Hunts Point neighborhood, in the south of the Bronx, who suffer from asthma, will have relief after the approval of a project to improve air qualitywhose investment will be $1,700 million dollars.
The million-dollar investment is expected to produce more entrance and exit ramps for new highways for the nearly 13,000 trucks that usually roll through residential streets, affecting a large number of citizens.
New York City authorities said the aid is finally on its way as it is in the final phase of a transportation renovation announced by New York State Governor Kathy Hochulas well as the councilman of the ‘Big Apple’ in the south of the Bronx, Rafael Salamanca.
South Bronx resident Lee Williams told PIX11 News that living with asthma has been part of a disturbing “family legacy” that his 1-year-old son also suffers from.
“I was panting. Her chest creaked. It was bad to see a baby like that. My son, my only son,” Williams said. “My mom had it. I have it. My son has it. The environment also plays an important role.”.
Williams added that efforts to improve the environment for asthmatics so far have not been the best, and criticized that they have not been taken into account to reverse this situation.
“Their actions tell us they don’t care. Because if they did, then our environment wouldn’t be as bad as it is,” Williams said.
Environmental damage in the South Bronx is expected to be reduced
Hunts Point is one of many neighborhoods that have suffered the consequences of being a food distribution zonewhere thousands of trucks deliver their goods, and commonly leave behind a worrying amount of pollution that triggers asthma sufferers.
In 2020, the damage caused to the community was reported as a result of urban construction projects directed for several decades by the historic planner in the city, Robert Moses, indicated PIX11 News.
These projects ultimately encircled the South Bronx in a ring of major highways.which left a significant amount of air pollution.
“When we talk about environmental racism, people know what was going to happen. Who is on these local roads? Children who want to play. Old people. Moms pushing strollers. This will increase safety, reduce air pollution, and help with some of the highest asthma rates in our city and our state. Correcting the past mistakes of the Robert Moses era,” said Kathy Hochul.
Part of the project focuses on adding additional entrance and exit ramps, a third lane to reduce traffic congestion and two dozen electric car charging stations. It is expected to be completed in the next two years.
Given the measures that are to come, Williams said that the project sounds like a “breath of fresh air”, and admitted to feeling optimistic, mainly for his son.
Williams, a resident of the South Bronx, said the latest project sounds like a “breath of fresh air” and he remains optimistic for his son’s sake: “It’s better than nothing. What else can we really do but find a solution?
With information from PIX11 News
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