TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
May 18 , 2025
NEW YORK - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy today announced a sweeping proposal to convert the historic Brooklyn Bridge into a fully operational drawbridge. The plan, revealed during a press briefing at the Department of Transportation headquarters, would place the iconic structure under the jurisdiction of the Port Authority and assign oversight to Newark Liberty International Airport's air traffic control division.
The announcement comes on the heels of a deadly incident Saturday night, when a Mexican Navy tall ship crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge, prompting investigations by federal and local authoritiess.The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of the bridge’s maritime clearance and the safety of New York Harbor’s busy shipping lanes.
Secretary Duffy cited the crash as a “wake-up call” for the city and the nation. “The Brooklyn Bridge is a symbol of American ingenuity, but it was built for a different era. In light of recent events, we must adapt our infrastructure to the realities of modern shipping and transportation,” Duffy said.
Under the proposal, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey would assume operational responsibility for the bridge. Even more unusually, day-to-day management of drawbridge operations would fall to Newark Liberty International Airport’s air traffic control division, a facility already under pressure due to staffing shortages and technological challenges.
Duffy defended the move, arguing that “the precision and coordination required for air traffic control are exactly what’s needed to safely manage the complex intersection of river and road traffic at the Brooklyn Bridge.” He added that the plan would leverage ongoing federal investments in air traffic modernization, as outlined in his recent nationwide upgrade proposal.
The proposal has already sparked debate among local leaders and transportation experts. Some question whether the air traffic controllers, already stretched thin by record-low staffing levels and outdated equipment, can shoulder the added burden of managing maritime and vehicular flows at one of the world’s busiest urban crossings.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, speaking at a press conference on Sunday, expressed skepticism. “We need to address the root causes of these accidents, not just shift responsibilities around. The idea of putting Newark’s air controllers in charge of the Brooklyn Bridge raises more questions than it answers,” he said.
Duffy’s office confirmed that a feasibility study will begin immediately, with input from the Coast Guard, the Port Authority, and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Secretary insisted that no changes will be made without full consultation with city officials and the public.
“This is about safety, modernization, and ensuring that New York remains a global leader in transportation,” Duffy concluded.
The proposal, if enacted, would mark the most significant alteration to the Brooklyn Bridge since its opening in 1883, and could set a precedent for the integration of air, land, and maritime traffic management in America’s cities.
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