A former state environmental engineer cast doubt Saturday on air pollution studies completed for the Kensington Expressway project.
Marcia Ladiana, who worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for 33 years, called for a comprehensive air quality study to better understand what the health impacts would be near the planned 3/4-mile-long tunnel on the East Side. The tunnel would extend from Dodge to Sidney streets, with a deck above to reconstruct a portion of the once-grand Humboldt Parkway designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, which was destroyed in the 1950s and ‘60s to construct the highway.
“The people who live, go to school or work near the tunnel portals will be exposed to higher concentrations of all pollutants, specifically carbon monoxide and PM 2.5, which is a form of particulate matter,” said Ladiana, who retired in June.
“I have reviewed the draft design report for the Kensington Expressway project, and I have grave concerns about the levels of pollution people will be exposed to after the tunnel is built. For this reason, I believe we need a complete environmental impact statement so we can see the real impact of the tunnel.”
Ladiana spoke at a press event held by East Side Parkways Coalition, which opposes the current plan, at the Delavan-Grider Community Center.
At DEC’s Division of Air Resources, Ladiana reviewed and evaluated air pollution and regulatory compliance for stationary sources, like factories. She didn’t work on mobile transportation studies such as the Kensington Expressway, but said she felt confident raising her concerns.
The state Department of Transportation’s review found mitigation measures, including a ventilation system using jet fans in the tunnel, will keep contaminants within federal standards. That’s despite finding particulate matter increasing “slightly” up to 6% near tunnel portals.
“The air quality analysis in the…
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