How the Cross Bronx Expressway Was Built - Coursework Example

How the Cross Bronx Expressway was Built and its Consequence

The Cross-Bronx Expressway passed through the New York City with the intention of serving the large population therein and reducing congestions. Robert Moses is the planner behind the highway and most of the other American cities' modernization (Sedensky). Moses assured that most of the road is straight as it stretches through the borough and most of the curves that can be identified on the way are shallow. Further, the road passed through residential areas, which was a precedence to the demolishment of the buildings. Additionally, the non-occupied places later served as a home for crimes, and there was a rise of insecurity in the areas through which the highway passed. This paper will explore how the Cross Bronx Expressway was built and its consequences.

On the onset of the construction of the road, displacement of more people resulted, and the more significant percentage was that of refugees who did not have much wealth. However, the affected individuals were provided with the necessities that they needed for their survival as the road could demolish their passage areas to other cities to work (Gubaydullin). Therefore, jobs emerged for the men who did not have work downtown within their neighborhoods. Further, some of the people needed to travel city for their everyday tasks and good transportation was a provision. Additionally, significant shopping for mothers who were homemakers was available in the neighborhood, and they could feed their children without much hustle. As the construction of the road continued through the Southwestern border, more requests on the availability of parks and Crotona Park emerged. The parks that were set apart replaced playgrounds that would provide children with a place to play and have fun together (Ouroussoff). Additionally, the parks provided recreation for both young adults and children. Moreover, Moses built a swimming pool called the Indian Lake, which also enhanced recreational activities in the neighborhood.

Further, the highway passed through Tremont where schooling was considered a valuable exercise. Moses ensured not to interfere with the schools, and all were kept close enough for the children to walk to and from home (Caro 853). However, most of the apartments in East Tremont were traditional, and Moses did not see it a big deal demolishing them. Furthermore, he emphasized that the lack of elevators in the apartments made them resemble slums. However, the people in the neighborhood loved the houses because their low water pressure was equivalent to more moderate amounts of rent. With time, East Tremont could act as a home for the city's newest immigrants, and this made it a stage for fast urbanization within the construction period of the road. Further, Robert Moses sent letters to the people of East Tremont notifying them of the passage of the highway through their town (Caro 858). By then, an influx of refugees existed who were mostly Negroes into the place, as they believed it had the cheapest of houses that they could afford. He was the city construction coordinator as indicated in the letters and gave people an ultimatum of ninety days to vacate the place, although there had been no warnings and indications of the information (Rayman). However, the finances to build the road were not available at the time of delivery of the letters. Therefore, more time would be required to make the way contrary to the three months periods indicated on the note.

Moreover, the letter expressed the completion of a section of the highway and emphasized the orderliness of the relocation services. However, contrary to the information, the two and a half miles of the express road that had come to completion that had created a scene of desolation and destruction. The sites had turned into hills of people as there were no tenants in the surrounding. The eviction and displacement of people from their apartments are the most significant adverse effect on the inhabitants of the areas through which the road passed. According to Gubaydullin, many people were displaced and moved to temporary shelters with their families as they awaited other phases of eviction.

In such a way, the economy of New York City faced challenges as the number of people who contributed to its GDP was jobless and homeless, although some of them had no clear routes to use in their workplace. Despite the formation of a Tenant Relocation Bureau whose responsibility was finding comparable living quarters with average conditions that could accommodate people of the economic middle and low cases, there were no beneficial actions witnessed (Rayman). The evicted people would continue to suffer for an irregular period as some of them continued to hold on to their old homes with the hope that things would get better. In most cases, the city had tens of thousands of people who were waiting for the allocation of the city’s public homes, which were slightly cheaper than the other houses (Powell). Additionally, the displaced persons faced threats that the compensation fee on offer for catering of moving expenses would be lower than the initial if they declined the already provided amounts.

Moreover, there was hope for the people of East Tremont where the second section of the highway was to pass when Flanagan, a close ally of Moses, reasoned with them and concluded that there could have been a better route through the Park, which would warrant that no individuals would face displacement (Caro 863). Most of the apartments would remain intact if the alternate route were put under consideration for use in the road construction. A battle ensued between the city dwellers and the authorities to either have an alternative way or at least increase the amount of compensation to the displaced people. It was in this cause that the locals set to seek engineers who would be willing to defy Moses' orders as they drew a detailed map of the alternative route and proving its feasibility from the engineers' point of view (Caro 868). The media was not willing to publicize the woes of the people as they sought help. Therefore, the details of the losses that would be incurred by New York were omitted from the newspapers as the Moses and his engineers were stubborn to change their construction routes. Lilian Edelstein helped fight for the people's rights to housing, but it was challenging to convince various individuals who believed that fighting the city hall officials would never be fruitful.

Some of the challenges that would hinder the success of Robert Moses' work in New York were both political and economic. In such a way, the Bronx President supported his people that the highway had an alternative route, even though the case was taken to the law offices (Sarachan).

However, Moses believed that the passage of the road in the proposed alternative areas would pose speed-limiting challenges, which will not solve the existing problems on the streets. Further, Moses made Lyons agree with him that the only possible road was his version and threatened to stop the ongoing construction in Lyons if he could lose in this case (Caro 872). The effects of the Bronx highway are still felt in the New York City as motorists have to slow down when using the road to avoid accidents. Furthermore, the Lincoln Tunnel, which is along the Bronx highway, is among the most congested routes during rush hours. Hence, it slows down traffic movements, which in return causes motorists a loss of many hours on the road annually. With time, most of the building in the Bronx had been raced down by people who then sought compensation from insurance companies so the money could help them settle in their new homes. With the continued trick of setting houses ablaze, insurers uncovered the motives behind it and stopped the provision of insurance policies. Hence, the city blocks were abandoned and became home to gangs that would then rob people for survival. A significant effect of the relocation of the locals was an increased crime rate in the city.

Overall, the construction of the Bronx express highway has both advantages and challenges just like any other projects. Hence, many people were displaced, and the government could not refund them substantially (Gubaydullin). As a result, the number of homeless individuals and refugees increased in the New York, especially East Tormento (Rayman). Additionally, the economy of the entire city was paralyzed as many people lost jobs while others were not in a position to commute to their workplaces as some roads were demolished to build the highway. However, the construction also created some jobs that were taken up by local engineers who helped in developing the way to completion. Despite the political and economic challenges, the highway was built successfully as it still serves as the primary transportation means in the New York City.

Therefore, the construction of the Bronx Express highway was done to reduce congestions in the New York City. East Tremont housed many of the lowly regarded people in the society and with the notices to vacate the premises; most families were stranded as the other estates were far much expensive. Additionally, the debate on whether to consider an alternative route for the highway to save most premises from being demolished became a political struggle when Moses threatened not to continue with the Lyons construction if he lost the case. In such a way, the highway stretched beyond the residences of the people as Moses believed he was the perfect urban planner. Moreover, the challenges of the road included congestion of motorists during rush hours, which facilitates the loss of many hours on the road every day. Thus, the need for expansion of the way should a consideration of the New York municipality. Notably, the road was a significant achievement and contributor to the growth of the economy of New York City as it made it easier to run errands for most investors.