Image of United Nations From Soutpoint Park By Natasha
A Roosevelt Island resident sent a message expressing concern that the health and safety needs of Roosevelt Islanders are being neglected by the raising of the Roosevelt Island Bridge for non – essential boat traffic during the UN General Assembly Meeting currently being held. She was fearful that emergency vehicles such as ambulances and FDNY trucks would be delayed traveling to and from Roosevelt Island resulting in a tragedy due to the Roosevelt Island Bridge not being accessible during these openings.I asked RIOC President Steve Shane to comment and he replied:

Since any such raising of the bridge is for the short term of the passage of the vessel and this displacement takes place during UN week only, RI should, in my opinion, like the rest of New Yorkers discomfitted by traffic diversions, wailing sirens, usurped restaurants, etc., bear up while New York City serves its function as capital of the world. Emergency services are all well aware of the issues of the RI bridge and, as they have in the past, prepare to meet the exigencies as they may arise. Hope that they do not.
RIOC coordinates with the City’s emergency services. Specific contingency plans are in place.
Every year, at this time, the same concerns arise and so far, all emergencies have been met.

Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) President Frank Farance commented:

I’m not sure RIOC has direct control over the bridge, however RIOC does have contacts in the City government (Rosina can help?).

On Tuesday, the bridge was opened for approximately 30 minutes between 14:15 and 14:45. Although one sailboat had gone through early on, the bridge was kept open for another 15 minutes when there was no river traffic in either direction for as far as the eye could see. PSD Director Guerra told me that a half dozen officers were late for the 3-to-11 shift because of the extra long bridge opening.

We really need to investigate why the bridge is being operated so poorly.

To which RIOC President Steve Shane replied:

We have lodged an inquiry through the OEM to discuss the procedure.

Yesterday, Mr. Farance did some investigating and found the following:

Attached, please find five photos at approximately 16:42 today:

1: Looking northbound on the East Channel (the bridge had just closed), there is no river traffic causing the bridge to open.

2: Looking southbound on the East Channel, there is no river traffic.

3: Impact on Roosevelt Island, cars are backed up …

4: And backed up …

5: And backed up as far as the eye can see.

Mr Farance continues:

As I’ve stated previously, the bridge remains unnecessarily open — there is no river traffic causing the bridge to open.

Below is the initial message I received from the Roosevelt Island resident that started all this. There’s More!