STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City is studying a plan to potentially convert the Korean War Veterans Parkway into a roadway for commercial traffic, and Borough President Vito Fossella announced Tuesday he publicly opposes the idea.
During a press conference in Annadale, Fossella opposed any modification to the Korean War Veterans Parkway that would enable commercial vehicle traffic, such as trucks, which he said would threaten residents’ commutes and overload the infrastructure beyond what it was designed to handle.
“What we’re here to say is Staten Island does not want trucks on the Korean War Veterans Parkway,” said Fossella. “This is not something that benefits us. The costs far outweigh any benefits.”
Currently, commercial vehicle traffic is prohibited from a majority of parkways across New York City, including the Korean War Veterans Parkway.(Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)
Currently, commercial vehicle traffic is prohibited from a majority of parkways across New York City, including the Korean War Veterans Parkway. The parkway, which is thoroughfare used daily by residents traveling on the South Shore of Staten Island or to New Jersey, was designed for personal vehicle traffic.
The plan to allow trucks on the Korean War Veterans Parkway is part of a larger plan by the city, called the Truck Route Network Redesign, that is working to overhaul truck routes and change parkways across the five boroughs to allow truck traffic. This change would require approval from the New York State Department of Transportation.
Fossella issued a public call against any truck traffic permitted on the Korean War Veterans Parkway, alongside activist and media personality John Tobacco.
It could cost millions of dollars to make required changes to the parkway to allow commercial traffic, such as ramp changes, widening lanes, strengthening and replacing bridges, rebuilding parkway shoulders and noise mitigation, among other changes, Tobacco stated.
“NYSDOT continues to evaluate the New York City Department of Transportation’s proposal to designate the state-controlled Korean War Veterans Parkway as a certified truck route, including the need for any engineering or safety enhancements,” said a spokesperson from the state Department of Transportation.
The city Department of Transportation did not respond to a request for comment before publication.
The city’s Truck Route Network Redesign plan would involve approximately 14 miles of new truck route designations on Staten Island, which would include more than nine miles of the Korean War Veterans Parkway. According to the plan, it would allow trucks to avoid using local residential streets in the area.
The redesign also stated that the full extent of the corridor poses no issues with respect to height- or weight-related restrictions.