Construction of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway required the forcible displacement of tens of thousands of people across the two boroughs. Designed by Robert Moses, the highway cut a nearly 15-mile gash through some of the most densely populated neighborhoods on the planet.

Link to animation on youtube:

Similarly, the Cross Bronx Expressway cut a path of destruction through The Bronx. More info here:

Imagery from and with my colorization added.

@antonnewcombe This is a great doc on PBS that covers a lot about what Moses did to NYC and the city's people.

Wow, i knew it involved lots of displacement, but never realized how little it even tried to follow existing roads - just barrels through blocks like a tornado.

If you take the time to read Richard Rothstein's book "The Color of Law," you might conclude that Robert Moses reflected the values of planning in that day. Separation of use was also separation of races. Planners may have some heroes to take down and put in cold storage.

impressive work. i'd point out, however, that "Carroll Gardens" did not exist when the BQE was built (it was all Red Hook) & what today * is * racial segregation, esp. Red Hook Houses, was then a division of ethnicity (mostly Italian), class (laboring) & industry (waterfront).

TEAR DOWN THE BQE! TEAR DOWN THE BQE!

Robert Moses (Derogatory)