Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Sen. Addabbo (from l.), Jesus Lopez, Isiaih Watkins, Ashanti Wilkens, and Neil Giannelli, Addabbo’s chief of staff, pitch in to help spruce up the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge.
By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) has partnered with the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island to bring in a crew to help clean the area near the Joseph P. Addabbo Memorial Bridge, the senator announced Monday.
Over the summer, the span, which connects Howard Beach and Broad Channel, has been a target for an increased amount of litter and illegal dumping, prompting complaints from local residents, Addabbo noted.
Previously, the New York City Department of Transportation had personnel who would occasionally clean the bridge, but due to COVID-19, that program had to be suspended, leaving the bridge and the pedestrian paths full of debris.
File Photo
Over the summer, the span has been a target for an increased amount of litter and illegal dumping.
After several calls and emails from constituents alerting him to the condition of the bridge, Addabbo and his office team reached out to the council and were able to collaborate on bringing in the City Cleanup Corps to address the conditions at the bridge.
“While I understand why DOT could not continue their cleaning of the bridge during COVID, and I greatly appreciated their work, the growing debris issue needed to be addressed on a regular basis. I’m also extremely grateful for the efforts of all the volunteers from the community who did a great job cleaning the bridge and surrounding area,” Addabbo said. “But the conditions have worsened and the trash has accumulated so quickly, that currently a daily maintaining of the bridge is needed. I am thankful that the opportunity to work with the JCC and CCC arose.”
Now, Addabbo’s office has up to four people from the CCC to clean the bridge five days a week—and it has made a noticeable difference, the senator said.
“I am grateful for the four members of the CCC who come each day and clean up the bridge, the pedestrian path and the grass areas around it,” Addabbo added. “I want to express my thanks to the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island for their partnership in this endeavor, as long as the funding lasts.”
Addabbo said he’s hopeful that with additional City or State funding the program can continue well into 2022.
Also, the CCC is looking for people to be a part of the cleanup program. For more information, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach district office at (718) 738-1111.
