BY John Bayles
Last week Luis Sanchez, NYC’s Department of Transportation commissioner for Lower Manhattan attended a Lower Manhattan Marketing Association meeting at the National September 11 Museum and Memorial preview site. He gave an update on all things related to Lower Manhattan and honed in on the upcoming tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Sanchez reminded everyone that the tenth anniversary was only “360” days away, but assured the audience that his office was doing everything possible to prepare for the expected influx of tourists and buses.
“We’re open to any and all suggestions,” Sanchez said in regard to how to best accommodate the surge.
The concern is that Lower Manhattan will become inundated with tour buses from all across the country when the memorial opens on September 11, 2011. So far, the D.O.T. is entertaining ideas including a “park and ride” scenario that would see tour buses park in New Jersey and have visitors take the PATH train directly to the memorial site. Also, there is a ferry scenario that would entail visitors coming across the Hudson River from New Jersey as well.
“There are a lot of different scenarios to make the commute part of the experience,” said Sanchez.
He said the D.O.T. is working with all interested parties including the NY/NJ Port Authority, the M.T.A., as well as elected officials.
Holland Tunnel congestion to worsen
Sanchez also updated the audience on construction work along Hudson street, expected to take at least five years. Beginning last Sunday, Hudson Street was reduced to two lanes heading toward the tunnel and access to the tunnel via the five-lane street will be eliminated.
“The better bet is to take Church or West Streets,” said Sanchez. “But I’ve been telling everyone to take mass transit.”
The closure is a result of water main repairs. According to the Port Authority, upwards of 16,000,000 cars utilized the tunnel last year.
