West Side Highway exit ramp at 72nd St. closed

(New York - WABC, July 8, 2007) (WABC) -- If you travel the west side highway, a change to your commute is coming.

This Sunday morning, the 72nd Street ramp from the West Side Highway is closed. Construction started there at midnight.

Eyewitness News reporter Patricia Wu is on the scene where many of those in the area do not like the price of progress.

Many people are blaming Donald Trump, indeed. A lot of people are not happy about this.

Like it or not, the northbound 72nd Street exit ramp is closed so that construction can be done to connect Riverside Boulevard with Riverside Drive.

It will give residents of the new Trump buildings better access and is part of a deal the city made with Donald Trump.

The construction will last about a year and half and during that time, all vehicles will have to go 7 blocks north to use the 79th Street exit.

Residents have mixed feelings about what that will mean in the case of an emergency.

"The emergency vehicles will not be able to exit at 72nd Street. They will have to go to 79th Street where is already congested," said a resident. "It makes no sense."

"Whenever you can put in a new road that opens up the area to ambulances" said a man. "This will make it more flexible in this corner."

Residents who are opposed to the ramp closure are planning a rally this Sunday morning. They want the ramp to be reopened if only for emergency vehicles.

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