But instead, the PA's commitment to a project no one wants makes its planners look like traffic addicts in need of ever more cars and trucks. The Campaign has challenged the PA to examine a combination of alternatives, including increased bus service, bridge approach modifications, and congestion relief pricing to truly relieve congestion at far less cost. The "alternatives" in the EIS were examined singly and rejected.

Port Authority officials were dealt a round of criticism at a hastily-convened NYMTC "public information" forum held in the middle of the work day Dec. 1. At the meeting, Campaign representatives reminded the audience that the PA's own figures show the new highway capacity will attract more cars and trucks -- traffic levels around the bridge would be 32% higher than if the new bridge were not built. They also challenged PA bridges director Ernesto Butcher to explain PA documents that call the Goethals twin a "lynch pin" to plans for a truck freightway across Staten Island. Elizabeth's Reverend Joe Parrish spoke of his city's air pollution problems and admonished the PA to cancel the project. PA officials declined to respond to claims that the project would increase asthma-related deaths in the area near the bridge.