CBS2 Investigates: 2 Years After Sandy, Some Belt Parkway Drivers Are Still In The Dark

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Two years after Superstorm Sandy, part of the Belt Parkway is still without lights.

CBS2 first investigated the problem a year ago. On Friday, CBS2's Dick Brennan went to see why there hasn't been any progress.

The only lights in that section of the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn come from cars. Some 150 lamp posts between Knapp Street and Flatbush Avenue have been out since the storm hit.

Drivers have had enough.

"I think that the highway is darkened can pose a serious hazard to drivers in both directions and this is an area that should be a top priority to fix," Rose said.

Even worse, there's construction in the area leaving the 1930s era roadway with even less room for drivers to maneuver.

"In the dark it becomes more of a problem. You have cars to the right of you, cars to the left of you, and you have to be on your toes to see what is going on," said City Councilman Alan Maisel (D-46th.)

Maisel said he has written a number of letters to the Department of Transportation looking for answers. He said the DOT initially promised lights by the end of the summer. Now, as we reach November, they don't even have temporary lights .

"I'm not exactly sure when they're going to get this done. If they can't get it done, let's get temporary lights," Maisel said.

The DOT said that there wasn't even enough power to put in temporary lights. They have had to rebuild a circuit on Knapp Street which could be back on as early as Monday.

The DOT said the electrical distribution system was hit hard, and that it has been a very complex job to get the lights up and running again.

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