Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro

Staten Island, New York

Borough President Molinaro urges MTA to extend construction hours on Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

Calls for Saturday and Sunday work to expedite the renovation project

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today encouraged the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to allow construction work to take place on Saturdays and Sundays in an effort to expedite the lower-level deck renovation project that is currently wreaking havoc with Staten Islander’s morning and evening commutes.

      In a letter to MTA Chairman Lee Sander, Molinaro wrote, “Given the terrible daily congestion at the Verrazano Bridge, I urge you to expedite the renovations of the lower deck of the Bridge by performing construction on Saturdays and Sundays in addition to the already scheduled weekdays.

      Molinaro also pointed out that the addition of weekend construction would cause no further delay to motorists traveling over the span on a Saturday or Sunday, as the lane being renovated would be closed to motorists whether or not work is actively being performed.

      “I strongly feel that extending the construction hours will greatly lessen the duration of this project, and I am certain that Staten Islanders would welcome the relief,” Molinaro said.

June 20, 2007