Yesterday afternoon, a giant billboard over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway between Meeker Ave. and Metropolitan Ave. in Williamsburg collapsed and fell onto the highway and street below. Officials, who were still cleaning up debris today, say the 20-foot-high Mega Millions advertising sign came down due to extremely strong winds—but local politicians are unhappy it was there to begin with: "It is time the Buildings Department cracked down on illegal billboards," said Council Member Letitia James. "It is fortunate that no one was hurt in this incident, but it is time the City enforced this rule and held sign companies responsible."
"As long as advertisers make more in illegal billboard placement than they pay in fines, this will continue to pose a danger. I call upon the Department to inspect City billboards for legality and safety," James said in a statement. The New York City Department of Buildings zoning rules prohibit billboard placement within 200 feet of highway. She also noted that in 2009, a Federal District Court in Manhattan found that “the City’s enforcement of its zoning regulations has been inconsistent and less than vigorous...The billboard industry has taken advantage of this lax enforcement and has consistently ignored the regulations on billboard sign location.”
The billboard collapse caused massive traffic backups on the BQE, with much of its debris falling onto three auto repair shops below the roadway—including Juan Zapil Car Wash, which is listed at 421 Meeker Ave., the same as the billboard. It also severed a gas line, and damaged a vehicle; there were no injuries however. "We were very fortunate that no one on the street or the highway was affected by this, other than the backup of traffic," Deputy Chief Robert Strong told NBC.
As of this morning, the right lane of the westbound BQE was still closed as well as the entrance ramp off McGuiness Boulevard, and officials said the investigation on the ground will likely last most of the day.
