Transportation Alternatives: T.A. Magazine Article: Permanent Path For Queensboro Confirmed

November/December 1997, p.5

Permanent Path For Queensboro Confirmed

Sources within the Departments of Transportation and City Planning say that a dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path will be completed on the North Outer Roadway of the Queensboro Bridge by the summer of 1999. The sources insist that the path is a sure thing and that the only open question is exactly how cyclists and walkers will access it from First and Second Avenues.

T.A. has recommended an elevated, Y-shaped ramp that allows completely car-free access from the corners of both First and Second Avenues and 60ths Street. Though news of a permanent path is good, T.A.'s enthusiasm is muted because of the City's history of reneged promises regarding bike/ped use of the bridge, and because the South Outer Road-way--with its spectacular views and roadway drying southern exposure to the sun--is a much better place for cyclists and walkers than the shadowy North Outer Roadway.

Just the same, if the path is completed on time it will mean new, 24-hour accessible paths on both the Queensboro and Williamsburg bridges before the year 2000. Now the City should be solving the problem of how cyclists and pedestrians can get on and off the East River Bridge paths safely.

Tell DOT Commissioner Christopher Lynn that it is DOT'S responsibility to create safe routes to and from the East River Bridges, and that cyclists and pedestrians deserve better than to risk their lives looking for poorly-marked paths.

Commissioner Christopher Lynn, NYC DOT
40 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Fax: (212) 442-7007

Please send a free sample of the most recent T.A. Magazine and a membership application to the following address:

First Name:
Last Name:
Street address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Please subscribe me to the free T.A. StreetBeat (two e-mails per month)
E-mail:
Additional comments: