Much of his reply, however, focused on impending reconstruction of the 65-year old Goethals crossing. PA officials have recently tried to justify the need for a second crossing with claims that deck work on the existing structure is going to cause extensive delays.

When the rationale for a major project begins to shift, it's a sign that the need for it may not be so pressing. The Goethals "twin" was originally proposed to increase road capacity on I-278; asserting now that a $340 million project is needed to facilitate a reconstruction project seems like sleight-of-hand. If it wants a "regional consensus," the PA should be explicit about its goals. If the agency is looking to give trucks an option to the chronically congested George Washington Bridge and Cross-Bronx Expressway, officials should let the affected communities know.

If road and truck capacity are the issue, then a number of current projects noted in Mr. Boyle's letter, including enhanced rail float car operations and the cross harbor tunnel, might more effectively address the region's freight movement troubles. The PA should see where those projects are going before seriously considering the Goethals twin. Adding highway capacity should be the last thing considered for a region whose air quality is the worst in the country, save Los Angeles.