On Tuesday, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission will issue a binding report that will either allow or deny the New York City Department of Transportation permission to build a seven-foot tall chain link fence across the walking and cycling path on the Queensboro Bridge—an official City and Federal landmark.

The City DOT's construction of the seven-foot tall fence is opposed by transportation, public space, historic preservation and community advocates because it would be aesthetically disastrous, demoralize and discourage people from walking and biking on the bridge's path and make it less safe.

Advocates are calling on the City to preserve and improve the bridge path's existing fences. Currently, there are unattractive, seven-foot high chain link fences on the sections of the bridge path that pass over Manhattan, Roosevelt Island and Queens. On the sections above the East River, the path has a four-and-a-half-foot high fence, which is consistent with the bridge's original design, meets City and State safety and design standards and does not interfere with walking and bicycling on this lovely landmark. The City should replace the existing chain link fence with a more aesthetically pleasing and historically appropriate fence that is tall enough to ensure public safety; the new design should leave the four-and-a-half-foot high fences and grand views over the East River intact.

Aesthetically, a chain link fence across the entire path would have a disastrous effect on the elegant flow of the bridge's existing ironwork. Seven-foot tall chain link also evokes an era of high crime rates and creates paranoia and fear of public spaces. This psychological message has real repercussions: A chain link fence will lead to decreased usage of the path, as it becomes a less pleasant experience for cyclists and pedestrians. Decreased usage will result in the path being deserted and thus less safe.

No New York City agency has produced evidence that there is a chronic history of people throwing themselves or objects from the Queensboro Bridge's walking and bicycling path.

Installing the proposed seven-foot high chain link fence on the landmarked Queensboro Bridge will set a precedent that would allow the New York City Department of Transportation to install a similar fence on the landmarked Brooklyn Bridge.

Based on 2003 New York City Department of Transportation counts, Transportation Alternatives estimates that 2,500 people walk and bike across the Queensboro Bridge each day.

Construction of the proposed seven-foot tall is opposed by: CIVITAS, Defenders of the Historic Upper East Side, Friends of the Upper East Side Historic District, Gotham Center for New York City History, Historic Districts Council, Municipal Arts Society, Preservation League of New York State, Queens Historical Society and Transportation Alternatives.