Public Affairs Detachment New York
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 2, 2009 
Contact: Gary Kassof

(212) 668-7165

News Release

Coast Guard plans to host formal public meetings to review, comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Goethals Bridge Replacement Project

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard plans to host formal public meetings Wednesday, July 8, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Council Chambers of Elizabeth City Hall, 50 Winfield Scott Plaza Elizabeth, NJ and Thursday, July 9, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Harbor Room, Staten Island Hotel, 1415 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY., to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Goethals Bridge Replacement (GBR) Project. 

Presentations will be given on the project at 4:30 p.m. and repeated at 6:30 p.m.  The public meetings will provide opportunities for the public to respond to the DEIS and provide input into the process. A court reporter will be available at the meetings to record public comments.

The DEIS was prepared under the direction of the U.S. Coast Guard to comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Highway Administration (New York and New Jersey divisions) are the Federal cooperating agencies in the preparation of this DEIS.

The document assesses the impacts of replacement of the existing Goethals Bridge which includes the construction of a new cable-stayed bridge that would continue to serve as an Interstate 278 link across the Arthur Kill between Staten Island, New York, and Elizabeth, New Jersey. The proposed action includes a bridge with six travel lanes and standard shoulder widths; the construction of a public walkway/bikeway along the northern edge of the new bridge; the provision to accommodate the potential for future transit service; and the demolition of the existing Goethals Bridge.

The Notice of Availability of the DEIS published in the Federal Register on May 28, 2009 opens a 60-day comment period that ends Tuesday, July 28, 2009.  The DEIS will be available for public inspection at the First Coast Guard District Office at 1 South Street, Battery Park Building, New York, NY 10004-1466, between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.  The DEIS is also available at several locations in New York and New Jersey.  These locations are listed on the project website at www.goethalseis.com.  The document can be downloaded from the project website as well. 

Comments may be submitted via the following methods:

• Orally or in writing at the formal Public Meetings.
• Email. (Visit the project website at www.goethalseis.com - Go to “Contact Us”.)
• Fax: (212) 668-7967
• Mail:

Commander (dpb)

First Coast Guard District

Battery Building

One South Street

New York, NY 10004

Attn: Mr. G. Kassof

For information on the meeting facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the Formal Public Meetings, contact Gary Kassof, Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District, U.S. Coast Guard; at 212-668-7165 or e-mail gary.kassof@uscg.mil. Any requests for an oral or sign language interpreter must be received by July 3, 2009.

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