Let's take Exit
3 off of the proposed LOMEX, and head to the Manhattan Bridge and Canal
Street. The alignment of the I-478 spur of the LOMEX would take the
highway along the Bowery. The Bowery, in it's current configuration,
is a rather narrow road, which services two-way traffic in this area.
Parking along both sides of the street only aid in causing traffic congestion.
This attribute is visible in this picture, as we look at the Bowery, facing
south.
The buildings on the east side of the street (left in the picture) would
have been demolished in order to make way for the highway.
On
the west side of the Bowery, The Bowery Savings Bank building stands tall.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's, banks in Manhattan were designed to
resemble great halls, with huge windows and giant doorways, giving the
aura of wealth and importance to bankers and customers alike. Contrast
these buildings to the bank branches that one would find in your typical
suburban mall, as one can see that something was lost in the quest towards
frugalness.
This particular building would have been saved from demolition, since
it resides on the west side of the street.
A view
of the Bowery, looking south, on the east side of the street on the corner
of Grand Street. This view helps to illustrate how many buildings
would have had to have been razed in order to make way for the I-478 section
of the LOMEX. Like many of the other areas that we have explored
along the route of the LOMEX, these neighborhoods would have been forever
changed had LOMEX been built.
The
Bowery, looking south, as we approach Canal Street and the Manhattan Bridge.
Notice the buildup of truck traffic as we get closer to Canal street and
the bridge. The Manhattan Bridge is an important truck route for
commercial vehicles entering and exiting lower Manhattan.
The
Bowery, looking north. The Empire State Building looms in the distance.
Pedestrian traffic is also very heavy along the sidewalks. Pedestrian traffic
would have been much lighter had the LOMEX been built, since very few people
enjoy walking under an elevated highway structure for a long period of
time.
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to the Manhattan Bridge!