Jun 28 2005
The Sounds and Dirt of the BQE
There’s a little discussion going on at Curbed right now regarding the renovation of 505 Court Street and potential reasons these might not be your dream lofts. Having lived (until a week ago) on Clinton Street, between Huntington and Nelson, which directly faces the BQE, I sympathize with and support the "endless diesel soundtrack" description. And the higher you are, the louder it gets as there are no buildings to block the low rumbling sounds. In particular, that stretch of the BQE is rife with super-sized diesel trucks downshifting. I’d even go so far as to say these trucks perfect that glorious sound of BRERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR - RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRERP. It happens at all hours, and I have heard this sound last for what seems like minutes. I will add, though, that the real problem with the BQE is not the sound, which, though loud, does not hold a candle to the sticky dirty scum that filters through one’s window screens if you happen to want some "fresh" air. It’s gross. (Oh, and our apartment also gently rocked to the rumble, kind of like a cheap massage bed.)
5 Responses to “The Sounds and Dirt of the BQE”
yes, yes and yes. my block in greenpoint was partially sliced by the bqe, so as I peer across the inside of my block – through all the underwear hung out to dry – the bqe becomes my low(ish) rent beach. The brerrrrr is a bit of a rude interuption (though the traffic is mercifully slow because of Koskiosko bridge backups) but if I close my eyes and try hard enough, the traffic becomes something of a happy wave sound.
That said, I never open my windows because diesel exhaust dust is hard to clean
Right on… I used to live on Woodhull between henry and hicks which is right nearby. I stopped noticing after a while every time the plates rattled but I don’t think I ever got used to hearing the occasional 15 second long screech of brakes from someone trying to not rear end someone else coming off the onramp that went under the house and just sitting there anticipating the loud crash. Actually what was weird was that after a while, if there wasn’t a loud crash it felt sort of anticlimactic and unfinished. Well and then right after that I lived for a year on huntington across the street from that 505 court place to the point where the G/F line folks could look right into my back yard. having sampled both types of noise and pollution, I’ll take the train.
My apt in Williamsburg gets really nasty with the highway scum too; the only windows I have are on the highway side, so even running the a/c brings in the grossness. I’m not quite close enough for the vibrations to be a big issue, although the downshifting scares the cat to no end.
How could I forget the first condo (with balconies) we went to see when we moved here – on Rapeyle (sp) street – sandwiched between the BQE, the on ramp to the BQE & a school. talk about half a mil well spent!!!
And, of course, although the sweet BQE rocked us to bed while we cat-sat for you Erin, I’m sooo glad you are out of that place! you now have a quiet apartment or a green street, not to mention the grassy back yard (!!!)
“Oh, and our apartment also gently rocked to the rumble”
Aww, that was just the underground feel!