Toro points out the flaws both projects' Environmental Impact Statements:
Both environmental impact statements deny that the construction of large numbers of new parking spaces in the area, and the absence of the long-promised Yankee Stadium Metro-North Railroad station or other mass transit improvements, will have any impact on the amount of traffic or air quality in the South Bronx.She also mentions how the construction of 8,500 additional parking spaces is poor planning for an area already suffering from horrendous air quality and nettlesome congestion:
The South Bronx needs better urban planning. It is disheartening that economic development in this area is planned to come at the expense of the health and quality of life of its residents. The South Bronx bears a large burden of regional infrastructure that negatively impacts the health and quality of life of its residents. It has a disproportionate number of waste transfer stations and high levels of diesel truck traffic, and it has one of the highest asthma rates in the city and the country. The environment of the South Bronx should not be further compromised to create car-dependent suburban-focused facilities.Definitely read the whole thing. As we’ve said to numerous elected officals and community members, the traffic impact of Gateway will not only be considerable by itself, but the problems become exponentially worse when the new Yankee Stadium project is factored in. Unfortunately, when an EDC rep was asked, at a recent hearing: “How does the city plan to handle the traffic problems from these two major projects” his only answer was: “Carefully.”
