Giuliani To Decide Fate of 42nd Street Light Rail Project
NYC Mayor Giuliani will soon make a final decision on the fate of the Manhattan 42nd Street Light Rail project. The plan for the project envisions a modern trolley route slightly over two miles, from the United Nations across town, turning south on the West Side to reach the Jacob Javitz convention center. The transit project has the support of U.S. Senators Moynihan and D'Amato and a wide range of New York City politicians, real estate figures and civic organizations. It is slated to be built and operated by a private franchise, but about $1.2 million in City funding is needed to finish environmental impact and construction surveys before the franchise can be bid. Opposing the project are a handful of East Side politicians, East Side neighborhood groups and, typically, each of the midtown community boards. Fred Papert, president of the 42nd Street Development Corporation, characterized the proliferation of NIMBY opposition as a "zest for inertia." The project would eliminate the east bound motor vehicle lanes on 42nd Street. NY Observer
