Like so many similar projects before it, a bridge/tunnel that would have crossed the Long Island Sound has been canceled.
In a statement on Thursday, the state’s Acting Transportation Commissioner Paul Karas said the state Department of Transportation would not move forward with the project.
“After a careful review of a variety of considerations pertaining to the project, NYSDOT has decided not to move forward with it at this time,” he said.
A study released last December by Montreal consulting firm WSP examined three possible routes across the Sound using either a bridge, tunnel, or combination of the two: on the east end of the island, from Wading River to New Haven and Branford; in the central part of the island, from Kings Park to Bridgeport and Devon; and on the western end, from Oyster Bay to Rye/Port Chester.
According to the study, the route between Oyster Bay and Rye was preferred because it best accomplished the project’s goals of improving mobility, promoting economic growth, and developing cost-effective transit while limiting environmental impact.
While that route was the shortest distance of the three, it was also the most expensive with a price tag ranging from $31.5 billion to $55.4 billion.
The study estimated that the Oyster Bay route would have 86,400 daily riders if the toll was $20 and that the route would generate at least $520 million annually in toll revenue.
The statement from Karas did not give a reason why the project was canceled, but in addition to the high cost, the state would have faced strong opposition from North Shore residents.
Possible opposition to the plan began to spring up earlier this year.
During the March meeting, Flower Hill Trustee Frank Genese said the village was working on a statement with other communities opposing the project.
He did note, however, that it was unlikely the project would ever happen.
“God knows how many times in my lifetime they’ve [proposed] a bridge or tunnel,” he said.
This combination of price and local opposition explain why previous attempts have failed.
There were eight prior attempts to build a link across the Sound, according to the WSP study.
The earliest attempt was a proposal by Sen. Royal Copeland in 1938. Perhaps the closest the project came to happening was in 1965 when a $150 million bridge was proposed between Rye and Oyster Bay.
The brainchild of Robert Moses, it initially had the support of Gov. Nelson Rockefeller until he withdrew his support due to local opposition, bond issues, and environmental concerns.
Reach reporter Luke Torrance by email at ltorrance@theislandnow.com, by phone at 516-307-1045, ext. 214, or follow him on Twitter @LukeATorrance.
