Daily News from New York, New York • 81

J- Daily News, Tuesday. October 18, 1983 VJERE THE PS Witness tells the court about holdup of store Page 3 Conrail getting rid of Bay Ridge eyesore Page 3 keep strangers from YOUR BOOR 1 Problem with a meter prompts caution on ID Page 2 1 IK 7.1 Deterioration of Williamsburg Bridge was found to be extensive, but decision on future of 80-year-old span is not expected quickly. pi franna mm By CHARLES EATON "The feasibility study is a long-term approach," said City Councilman Abe Gerges (D-Brooklyn). "If the bridge is that far gone, then something should be done now. None of us wants even the smallest accident to happen there." Marino says that even if the farfetched idea of a new bridge comes to light, it won't be the type of bridge that stands there now.

"YOU'LL NEVER SEE another large suspension bridge built," said Marino. "It would cost nearly 1 billion dollars to build another bridge like that one." To City Councilman Louis Olmedo (D-Williams-burg), a new bridge is not the answer. "The bridge is a landmark. We won't stand by and see it torn down," said Olmedo. "It doesn't make any sense.

We'll go to court to stop it "The inconvenience to automobile traffic would be tremendous," added Olmedo. "I believe that the money could be better spent with the original plan of rehabilitating the bridge." Marino said: "The feasibility study will take a lot of things into account, including the fact that the present span would have to continue in operation during the construction of any new bridge." The impact on subway service also would be a vital part of the study. "There are two subway lines that use the bridge," said Marino. "We would have to sit down with the Transit Authority and discuss contingency plans." Ironically, the one thing that the old bridge seems to have in its favor is the location of the subway tracks. "This bridge was designed properly," said Marino.

"The tracks are laid in the center of the span, and the stress that affects the Manhattan Bridge is not a problem here." Upon discovery recently that the deterioration of the Williamsburg Bridge is far more extensive than first believed, officials of the State Department of Transportation yesterday said that they are studying replacing the 80-year-old span with a new bridge Since 1979, more than $20 million have been spent in refurbishing the span. It had been planned that another $100 million would be spent over the next decade, but recent studies by state engineers have discovered that the four steel suspension cables, all 16 inches in diameter, have trusted and deteriorated to the point where they might have to be replaced entirely, which would cost another $100 million, according to an official of the State Department of Transportation. The federal government insisted on a feasibility study for a new bridge when the possibility arose that the repair cost could double from the original repair estimate. Repairs to the three other major East River bridges also are pegged at about $100 million each. "AT THIS TIME, there is only about a 5 chance that the Williamsburg Bridge would be replaced," said John A.

Marino regional director for the DOT. "It is more likely that the cables would be replaced." The giant cables have shown rapid deterioration, and Marino admits that persons walking across the bridge can readily see the damage to the structure. The solution is in doubt, and it will not come quickly. "The feasibility study will be finished by the middle of next ear," added Marino. For some, that's too long to wait.

PS 6 BATTY OVEO A Swoops down on bat like police out of hell Page 3 TREAT HALLOWEEN AS SUiJBAY TRICK Dyker Heights group cites safety as factor Page 12.