A Cure for Congestion

©WCS/J.Maher

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been awarded $1 million by the New York State Assembly, through the leadership of Speaker Sheldon Silver and the Bronx Assembly Delegation. The capital funding will go toward a new intermodal transportation parking facility at the Bronx Zoo.

The facility will be located at the Bronx Zoo’s entrance just off Exit 6 of the Bronx River Parkway, next to the Manhattan-bound MTA express bus stop and within walking distance of the Pelham Parkway/White Plains Road subway stop. It will contain approximately 1,200 parking spaces. Bronx Zoo officials expect the facility to alleviate demand for parking on peak visitation days and reduce congestion at its main entrances and the surrounding streets. By reducing traffic congestion, the hope is to also decrease running times for buses.

“The Bronx Zoo’s intermodal transportation facility will reduce vehicular traffic into Manhattan and the resulting bottleneck congestion that often begins around the Bronx River Parkway’s exit six,” said John Calvelli, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for WCS.  “This facility is a critical first step in our master plan to improve the guest experience through updated amenities and exciting exhibits that ultimately help save the world’s wildlife.”

“In addition to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, the facility will benefit the environment by utilizing green architectural standards to minimize environmental impacts. We thank Speaker Silver, the Bronx Delegation, and the entire Assembly for their efforts in promoting smart and sustainable development for New York City,” said Calvelli.

The investment in the cultural sector has paid enormous dividends for the New York City economy and its tax base. The economic impact affects both the internationally renowned institutions as well as the neighborhood-based cultural institutions that are an intrinsic part of our diverse communities. The support from the Assembly underscores the value of providing an investment that drew more than two million visitors to the Bronx Zoo in 2007.

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