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Bridges over tunnel To quote from the New York State Dept. of Transportation announcement: “Three build alternatives are being considered: the At-Grade Alternative restores eight lanes for vehicular traffic on the surface in front of the World Trade Center site — this will be considered the No-Build Alternative; the Short Bypass Alternative restores 8 lanes in front of the WTC site by depressing 4 lanes and providing 4 at grade; the Long Tunnel Alternative runs from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to Murray Street, depressing 4 lanes and providing 6 lanes on the surface.” No matter which alternative is chosen, we will have at least four lanes of traffic on the surface. But if a tunnel is built we will also have new entrance ramps, creating a more dangerous situation for pedestrians crossing the surface traffic lanes. Consider the current situation near the tunnel entrances for the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the tunnel under Battery Park. These are the worst places to cross West St. because pedestrians and cars leaving the tunnels cannot easily see one another. The short bypass alternative preferred by Governor Pataki would double the number of these hazardous intersections. In my opinion, additional pedestrian bridges are the best option. These would provide safe pedestrian access across West Street. They would not require a “big dig” that would last years and make it virtually impossible to get in and out of Battery Park City by car during construction. And they could be built at a tiny fraction of the tunnel’s cost, freeing up a billion dollars to be spent on other, worthwhile Downtown redevelopment projects. Alice Underwood To The Editor: As a survey research professional — I have spent 17 years in public opinion polling — and a resident of Battery Park City, I was deeply disturbed by Josh Rogers’ biased interpretation of the Downtown Rebounds survey results. Community Board 1 provided me with the full survey results when I expressed my concerns. Contrary to Downtown Express’ lead story, the results of the poll show that the construction of a new vehicular tunnel under West St. is viewed as one of the lowest priorities measured in the survey —if a priority at all. To make the case that the poll spelled victory for tunnel supporters, Rogers combined the top three points in a four-point scale, which is not an advisable approach. Responses to any given question in a survey should always be analyzed in the context of all of the rest of the questions asked. Rogers looked at a single item in isolation — the tunnel — and built a story around it. For those who would blame the survey design or question wording for Downtown Express’ biased reporting of the results, that is an easy out. Don’t buy it. My mentor and friend, the late pollster, Burns W. Roper, taught me that no poll is perfect. If the method is sound (and it was in the Blum & Weprin poll), the sample is drawn correctly (it was) and a mix of questions are asked on the same topic, Roper believed that the public’s opinion will out. Even if the questions are flawed, the public’s true opinion usually gets through. And in this poll, the public’s priorities are quite clear — just not in the Downtown Express article. Holly Heline Jarrell To The Editor: Alexis Lambert |
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