May 16, 2017 

AEA Raises Public Safety Alarm

AEA became aware of a dangerous condition below the Manhattan Bridge that poses an imminent public safety threat. AEA acted swiftly to address this public safety issue by alerting Mayor de Blasio and other stakeholders via registered mail.

We hope the Mayor will take quick action to protect the public from this hazardous condition. The letter below describes the situation. AEA will monitor the Mayor’s actions and will respond accordingly. 

Honorable Mayor Bill de Blasio                                             May 6, 2017

City Hall

New York, NY 10007

Honorable Mayor de Blasio:

As licensed Professional Engineers, who have been entrusted by the State with the duty of protecting the public’s health, safety and welfare, we have an obligation to inform you of an imminent public safety issue. The cause of concern is the recent installation of a “climbing wall” under the ManhattanBridge on the Brooklyn side. It appears that no consideration was given to the fact that this location exposes potential users of this “climbing wall” to falling bolts and other debris from the ManhattanBridge, which is directly above and carries four MTA train tracks with no shielding.

If no provision is made to protect the users of this facility, it is almost a certainty that there will be serious injuries and possible fatalities from the debris falling off the ManhattanBridge deck. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent potential injuries or loss of life.

In addition to addressing the above specific public safety issue, we also urge you to survey all City infrastructure facilities that could pose a similar threat to public safety from falling debris.

We stand ready to assist you, in whatever capacity, in addressing this serious public safety issue.

Respectfully Yours,

Salvatore R. Galletta, P.E.

AEA, Chair

CC:      Governor Andrew Cuomo

            NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery

            NYS Assemblymember Jo Ann Simon

            Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito

            Councilmember Stephen T. Levin

            Community Board 2 Chairperson Shirley McRae

            NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg

            Local 375, DC 37 John English, Administrator

            Metropolitan Engineering Societies Council President Wasyl Kinach, PE