Brooklyn Bridge Park combats BQE noise with 30-foot hill

A rendering of the berm (source: DNAinfo)
A rendering of the berm (source: DNAinfo)

WEEKENDEDITION Sandwiched between the East River and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Brooklyn Bridge Park isn’t known for peace and quiet. But a new sound barrier, to block noise pollution from the BQE, will soon make the park a little more tranquil.

Officials have announced the construction of a 30-foot “sound-attenuating” hill, known as a “berm,” at Piers 3 and 4 near Clark Street. “It really does help,” Maureen Lynch, a park spokesperson told DNAinfo. “It has significantly reduced the sound of the cars zooming by.”

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Beginning in January, the berm will be constructed from more than 50,000 cubic yards of crushed stone excavated from the MTA’s East Side Access project. Eventually, the berm will run the length of Furman Street from Pier 5 at Joralemon Street up to Pier 2, reducing BQE noise from 75 decibels to 68 decibels. [DNAinfo]Christopher Cameron