Series III: Transportation Initiatives, 1973-1999
Scope and Contents
This series contains fliers, correspondence, news clippings, and other materials about the various transportation initiatives Adler took part in during the late decades of the 20th century. The bulk of the materials pertain to the Westway Highway Tunnel Project during the 1970s and 1980s. Developed by Governor Rockefeller's Urban Development Corp., the Westway Plan gained support after a section of the West Side Highway (WSH) collapsed in 1973. This massive project called for new landfill to extend 1,000 feet into the river, a sunken two-tiered highway, parks, and new real estate development. Many New Yorkers supported this plan, including Adler, who argued that this new highway would be used by trucks and cars, eliminate pollution, transform the waterfront, and act as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the West Side. The Westway received approval from both city and the Federal government, but the proposal was rejected in 1985 due to environmental issues. The various documents included in this series capture both the supporting and opposing viewpoints of the project and what led to its demise.
Among the various organizations that Mr. Adler was involved with to promote the Westway Highway was the Scientists' Committee for Public Information, Inc. (SCPI). Founded in 1958, SCPI was an organization of scientists, physicians, and engineers whose purpose was to objectively evaluate technical issues of a project that would allow the public to make informed decisions. The SCPI's Transportation subcommittee acted as coordinator for several teams of experts who examined the various subsections of the West Side Highway Project Environmental Impact Statement. Also included are materials on two subsequent proposals to restore the West Side Highway: the Route 9A Reconstruction Project and the Miller Highway Project.
There is also a small amount of material on Adler's efforts to improve bus service and the Central Park Toll Tunnel.
Subseries III.1: Westway Tunnel Project
Westway Fact Book, 1977
Scope and Contents Note
This booklet contains a comprehensive background and chronology of the Westway Project.
Council on the Environment, 1974
Scope and Contents Note
This folder contains several environmental fact sheets and reports, many if which are annotated. Of note is "The Energy Impact of West Side Highway Alternatives," a statement read beore the West Side Highway Project Public Hearing on September 12, 1974.
Scientists' Committee for Public Information, Inc. (SCPI), 1973-1976
Scope and Contents Note
These folders contains correspondence, reports, and newsletters on the environmental impact of the Westway Highway as determined by the Scientists' Committee for Public Information, Inc. Includes materials from special interest groups.
SCPI Land Use Task Force, 1973-1975, 1973-1975
Scope and Contents Note
Of note is the booklet, "Land Use and the West Side Highway Recommendations" from the Transportation Administration of New York and City Planning Commission.
Westway Coalition Correspondence, 1973-1980, 1973-1980
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence to and from government officials including Mayor Ed Koch, the Parks Council, and the Department of Transportation. Of note is a letter to the Editor of Our Town regarding a political cartoon on the Westway Highway dated March 18, 1978.
Westway Tunnel Coalition, 1972-1979
Scope and Contents Note
These folders consist of correspondence, city planning materials, news clippings, and newsletters about the Westway Tunnel Project. Includes a Department of City Planning Publications and Information Guide, as well as a list of transportation experts who testified at a Manhattan Auto Hearing.
Includes financial highlights for NYC Transit System for fiscal years 1969-1970 and 1975-1976, correspondence to the following: the Federal Highway Administrator regarding the distribution of federal highway funds and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Also includes a statement by Congressional Representative Bella S. Abzug.
Includes pros and cons to building the highway captured in news clippings and newsletters. Also includes minutes from a press conference given by the coalition.
Westway Tunnel Coalition, 1972-1979
Westway Tunnel Highway Study Group, 1976-1978
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence from the public supporting the Westway Highway.
Westway Tunnel Highway Project-- Opposition To, 1976-1977
Scope and Contents Note
This folder contains press releases and other materials from various committees and organizations opposed to the project, including the Coalition Against the Westide Expressway.
Westway Tunnel Highway and Brooklyn Bridge, 1975-1984
Scope and Contents Note
This folder contains the article, "Westway and the Brooklyn Bridge," as well as correspondence relating to the article.
Westway Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 1974 April 25
Westway Final Environmental Impact Statement, 1974
Westway Environmental Impact Statement: Section 6, 1974
Scope and Contents Note
Provides comments and responses on the Drat Environmental Impact Statement and includes a list of the agencies, organizations, and private ctizens who commented on the West Side Highway Project's Draft statement.
Westway Highway Project- Demise, 1973-1975
Scope and Contents Note
Includes news clippings on Westway setbacks, as well as articles by Cy Adler on how the demise of the project would hurt New York.
Subseries III.2: Miller Highway Project
Miller Highway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement-Executive Summary, 1999
Miller Highway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 1, 1999
Miller Highway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 2, 1999
Subseries III.3: Route 9A Reconstruction Project
Route 9A Reconstruction Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Appendix C Cultural Resources, 1993-1994
Route 9A Reconstruction Project Final Environmental Impact Statement Appendix C Cultural Resources, 1994
Route 9A Reconstruction Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Appendix F Pedestrians and Bicyclists, 1994
Route 9A Reconstruction Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Appendix I Coastal Zone Management, 1993
Scope and Contents Note
This folder also contains Projected Accident Rates.
Subseries III.4: Other Transportation Initiatives
Improving Bus Service, 1958-1959
Scope and Contents Note
Folder contains correspondence to and from Representative Daniel Kelly to improve bus service in New York.
Traffic Quarterly: An Independent Journal for Better Traffic, 1977
Scope and Contents Note
This journal, published by Eno Foundation for Transportation, Inc., discusses the energy crisis and transportation issues such as ride-sharing services and urban transportation. Of note is a letter written by Mr. Adler to Wilber S. Smith, Chairman of the Eno Foundation.
Central Park Toll Tunnel, 1989-2002
Scope and Contents Note
This folder contains correspondence, fliers, and articles about a proposal to build a tunnel under Central Park between 59th and 125th streets. Mr. Adler was the Director of the Vehicular Urban Toll Tunnels (VUTTS) Consortium, which promoted digging tunnels under the city for vehicular traffic to reduce pollution and noise.