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New York is putting its best technological foot forward to protect Manhattan from extreme weather patterns.
Earlier this week, in fact, officials tested out new flip-up flood gates under the FDR Drive as part of the Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resilience Project. Expected to be completed by May of 2026 and run from Montgomery Street to the Brooklyn Bridge, the new barriers will be activated a few days before a predicted storm with the push of a button.
According to Gothamist, the barrier will then connect with the East Side Coastal Resiliency project, which is similarly designed, "to form a combined 3.22-mile flood protection system extending to Asser Levy Playground on East 25th Street."
When addressing critics concerned about the gates potentially being an eyesore, Tom Foley, commissioner of the city's Department of Design and Construction, quickly reassured them during an official press event.
"When they're not raised, we have bike paths to the left, an amazing sightline to the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge and even the opportunity to do some fishing," he stated.
The Brooklyn Bridge-Montgomery Coastal Resiliency project is one of many initiatives launched after Superstorm Sandy exposed the city's vulnerability to severe storms in 2012. Beyond providing direct protections for downtown Manhattan, the city is also focusing on enhancing climate change adaptations in other areas. For instance, earlier this week, authorities announced a major renovation of the Coney Island boardwalk, which will incorporate various coastal protection features designed to help the city better manage extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
Check out a video demonstration of the new barriers right here: