A press release describing capital investments planned for the Hudson River crossings listed the Goethals Bridge twin first. The release stated that "an environmental impact study done several years ago will be updated this year." And in response to a reporter who asked what part of the capital program would benefit drivers, Bridges and Tunnels Director Ken Philmus began with "the potential" for a doubling of lane space in the Goethals corridor.

The Port Authority's argument for a second Goethals Bridge seems contradictory in light of the agency's oft-stated belief that variable pricing will successfully reduce peak hour congestion on the Staten Island Bridges other crossings.

In fact, a Goethals Bridge twin is not intended to serve drivers, but rather trucks and the agency's plans for port expansion. NYMTC and Port Authority documents show that the second Goethals is a central component in plans for a "priority freightway" from New Jersey to Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island. This future, which would also widen the Staten Island Expressway, has been vehemently rejected by Staten Island communities and political leaders (MTR #'s 231, 301).