Addabbo continues to monitor pigeon situation at 84th Street overpass as NYSDOT replaces metal slats

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. has been urging NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to replace the metallic slats on the 84^th Street overpass in Howard Beach, which are used to prevent pigeons from nesting and leaving droppings on the sidewalks underneath.

On Wednesday, September 14, Addabbo visited the overpass while contractors were replacing the damaged slats. Joining Addabbo was community activist Eddie Earl who helped bring this issue to the Senator’s attention.

“Members of the community have contacted my office in the past regarding the situation at the 84^th Street overpass and the unsafe, unsanitary conditions along the sidewalks due to pigeons living and nesting in the metal structure,” Addabbo said. “I contacted NYSDOT to do cure this problem and they responded by placing metal slats underneath the structure that would prevent the pigeons from being over the sidewalk. Recently some of the slats were damaged and displaced, allowing the birds to get back into the areas above the sidewalks and the droppings returned. Thankfully NYSDOT was able to come back and fix the damaged parts and that will hopefully remedy the situation.”

Addabbo said that he will continue to monitor the conditions of the area near the underpass and if the slats become damaged again, he will request the NYSDOT install wooden slats across the bottom of the overpass, which has worked as a deterrent for pigeons at similar overpasses in other parts of his district like Maspeth.