The Monmouth inquirer., 1924-01-10
Report to Gov. SiIzer Declares
LindenthaI Plan Would Mean
IntoIerabIe Congestion.
MORE vEHIcULAR TUNNELS
Jersey TO Limit OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Will Last only Eight Weeks-6ilis
Restricted = Republican Majority
Opposes Enforcement Repeal.


lief Of traffic conditions, urging con-
struction of bridge across the Hud-
son between New York and New Jer-
sey, north of 125th street, and of at
least two additional vehicular tun-
nels" are contained in a special report
from the Port of New York Authority
to the Governors of New York and
New Jersey, made public.
Construction of bridge across the
Hudson at Fifty-seventh street, advo-
Gated since 1900 by Gustav Lindenthal.
builder Of the He'll Gate structure,
would causs "intolerable congestion
of Manhattan's streets" the report de-
clares.
Five Crossings Needed
Five Hudson River crossings, each
of not less than four lines of traffic,
should be completed by 1912, the Com
missione.s of the Port Authority be-
lfeve.
The bridge north of 125th street"
which Gov. Silzer recommended to
the Port Authority Dec. II, would
connect Fort Lee with Washington
Heights at 17Sth street The Gov
ernor based his recommendations on
plans presented by O. H. Amann,
civil engineer of Boonton, N. j.. who
assisted in building the He'll Gate,
Greensboro and other bridges.
Following a joint statement issued
by Cows. Smith and Silzer, urging
construction at the earliest possible
moment of additional tunnels and
bridges between New York and New
Jersey, to be determined, built and
financed by the Port Authority, a
public hearing was held Dec. 5, at
which forty-eight municipalities,
trade bodies and transportation
groups were represented. In addi
ton, statements on proposed traffic
relief we're presented by forty other
organizations.
17eth Street Location Favored
"a study of all the views pre-
sented," continues the report, re-
veals large majority in favor of
additional vehicular tunnels and OPP
posed to any bridges below 10th
street. There was, however, sub
stantial approval for a highway
bridge at a location suggested about
West 17Sth street.
when formulating the comprehen-
siye plan for the reorganization Of
the terminal freight systems of this
port and for the future development
of the port, the Commissioners gave
very careful consideration to the
bridge proposed by the Hudson River
Bridge Corporation, for which it had
a Federal charter and which it pro-
posed should be located at West 9th
street.
THE Commissioners were forced
to conclude that the proposed bridge
did not form an economic solution in
relation to freight handling between
New Jersey and Manhattan. The So
luton of the problem of motor traffic
both for trucks and passenger motors
appeared to the Commissioners, espe-
cially as relating to Manhattan, to lie
Ia decentralization and distribution
rather in concentrating many lines of
traffic at one point.
Sage Committee Quoted
1.-The testimony offered regarding
bridges, and especially that of the
Committee on the Plan of New York
and It's Environs of the Russell Sage
Foundation, indicates that bridge
north of 125th street would serve
large amount of traffic between New
Jersey, North Manhattan, Westches-
ter, the Bronx, Queens and New Eng
land"
Construction of two yehicular tun-
nels, tentatively located at West 47th
street and Morris street, in addition
to the one now under construction at
Canal street, were recommended in
the comprehensive plan submitted by
the Port Authority, which was adopt
ed by New York and New Jersey and
ratified by Congress.
1.-THE studies Of the staff of the Port
Authority" the report continues, Sin
dictate that the growth Of traffic would
justify the completion Of five river
crossings by 1912, if it is to be as
sumed that by that time ferries would
be abandoned.
Ferry Service Inadequate
Effective ventilation of the tunnels
can be accomplished and fire risk
minimized the Commissioners believe,
by mechanical transportation of We
hicles.
with the rapid growth of the city's
population and its consequent growth
of business in necessary supplies"
continues the report, sit is clear that
the ferry service, as now conducted,
cannot provide adequate transit on
the river, at least without greatly in
creasing the waterfront occupancy on
both sides for additional ferry slips.
One OF the ends to be desired in the
reorga nization of the port facilities is
to free available river frontage as
much as possible for coastwise and
ocean steamships"
Additions to the present technical
staff and special appropriations will
Be necessary by the +wo State Legisla-