Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers his 100 Days Address, a speech dedicated to outline the progress made on his core campaign promises since taking office, in Queens, New York City, U.S., April 12, 2026. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado
(New York, New York) – Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed questions over whether he still supports removing former Mayor Ed Koch’s name from the Queensboro Bridge. The issue has resurfaced because Mamdani backed the idea before taking office, but City Hall has not clearly said whether it remains a priority now that he is mayor.
The bridge was officially renamed for Koch in 2011, turning one of the city’s most familiar crossings into a memorial for the former mayor. Critics of the name have pointed to Koch’s record during the AIDS crisis, while defenders argue that the name reflects a major figure in modern New York political history.
For Mamdani, the question is bigger than one bridge sign. It tests how aggressively his administration wants to reopen symbolic fights from the campaign while also trying to govern on affordability, taxes and public safety.
