Members of the Roslyn Viaduct Bridge Task Force continue to oppose the revised traffic pattern for the viaduct bridge.

Task force members had hoped that four lanes would remain open at all times during bridge renovation, which is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2005. Engineers with the New York State Department of Transportation have settled on a plan that will keep three lanes of traffic in operation during construction. In addition, a reversible lane will be open during rush hour traffic.

A July 21 meeting of task force members was held in downtown Roslyn, with both the Grist Mill and the viaduct as a background setting. Village of East Hills Mayor Michael R. Koblenz spoke of the need to keep four lanes open. He also said that the Villages of Roslyn Harbor, Roslyn Estates and East Hills were all preparing a lawsuit in the event that the DOT went forward with the design plans.

"After attending nearly 28 meetings of the Bridge Task Force, I am not about to put my stamp of approval on a design that seems flawed," said Janet Galante, a former mayor of Roslyn.

"There is no way that [Roslyn] as well as the surrounding communities can support three lanes of traffic during the construction," she continued. "We, as a committee, have repeatedly asked for another public hearing to bring this matter to the attention of the residents for nearly a year and the DOT has not done the same. After speaking with Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, he has agreed to take the lead on a public hearing to bring this information to the residents in the near future."

Also attending the meeting were the Rev. Margaret Clark and Don Krug, both of Trinity Episcopal Church. According to Ms. Galante, Trinity Church personnel continue to have their own concerns with the renovation. The DOT plans to condemn property fronting along 25A and change the driveway along the Stanford White structure.

"At this time, the DOT has refused to set up a mock situation to test out the three lane change or to hold a public hearing," Ms. Galante said. "I look forward to when Supervisor Kaiman sets a date for the public hearing and then having the information available for the residents."

Eileen Peters, a spokesman for the DOT has stated that the department tried to keep four lanes open during construction. She said that the DOT did an in-depth traffic analysis of a three-lane bridge. Such a bridge would only have a "minor impact on traffic" as opposed to a four-lane bridge, Ms. Peters said.

In addition to having a reversible lane during rush hours, which itself would result in four lanes of traffic, the DOT will also offer a 24-hour towing service to "remove any incidents" and a transportation management specialist on call at all hours, seven days a week.

DOT officials have said that the entire construction project will take up to 30 months to complete. Such officials have also estimated the total cost of the project to be in the $60 to $80 million range. The renovated bridge will have four lanes open. It will also include sidewalks and concrete shoulders. DOT officials have claimed that the new bridge will contain a "smoother ride" for motorists, while being more cost-efficient and easier to maintain.

Opposition to the three-lane plan began last winter. At that time, Mayor Koblenz expressed his own concerns over the project in a letter he wrote to all the mayors in the Roslyn area. The mayors of Roslyn Harbor and Roslyn Estates both agreed to retain a consultant. The firm of Schneider Engineering LLC has analyzed all reports, studies and traffic flows as provided by the DOT. According to task force members, they have questioned many of the traffic assumptions made by the DOT.

In addition to Supervisor Kaiman, Assemblyman David Sikidman has stated his concern over traffic conditions on a three-lane bridge.