The Cross Bronx Expressway is set for a major expansion by next spring, with plans to build five new bridges to replace existing ones.

News 12 spoke with community members who say the project could do more harm than good, especially considering the expressway’s history of pollution.

Debris was seen falling into the Bronx River back in 2022 during construction of a new on-ramp for the Cross Bronx Expressway.

“When they were demolishing the old structure, they literally jackhammered directly into the roadway to allow debris to fall into the river and damage the river and its ecosystem,” said Christian Murphy, ecology and education manager at the Bronx River Alliance.

Now, the Department of Transportation has announced a plan to add five new bridges to replace the 70-year-old structures currently in place—one of which runs above Starlight Park.

“Their structural integrity is being compromised, so they do need to be rebuilt. However, their plan does not meet the community’s needs,” said Murphy.

After years of cleanup efforts, the Bronx River Alliance says fish - and even dolphins - have returned to the water, and they're worried the new construction could reverse that progress.

“Creating more toxic fumes, increasing the amount of heat that is being experienced in this neighborhood,” said Murphy.

According to a DOT study, idling cars on the expressway have polluted the borough for decades, leading to long-term health problems for residents.

Guy Grosbard, who lives in Longwood, says he's against the expansion because he’s concerned about his health.

“I personally suffer from COPD, and I didn’t really suffer from it before I got here,” said Guy Grosbard, Longwood.

The Bronx River Alliance says it supports rebuilding the bridges - but not at the expense of the surrounding community - and would prefer the DOT to close parts of the expressway so it can repair the bridges rather than build new ones.