by Kathleen Cox Schaeffer EDITOR'S NOTE. 'Oils article is the first In a twopart series on proposed plans for either a bridge crossing or creation of a deep water oil port in the Delaware Bay. CAPE MAY - To Charles Thomas a bridge spanning the Delaware Bay is one of the sweetest sights Cape May County could ever see. Thomas, president of the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce is one of tho leading proponents of a proposed Delaware Bay Bridge. The bridge, says Thomas would open up unknown vistas of economic and cultural progress for Cape May County, and he is fighting hard for ft. The Delaware River and Bay authority does not share Thomas’ sanguine hopes for the bridge, however. In fact, they recently commissioned a preliminary study that concluded such a bridffe would be econmicalTy infeasible if not physically impossible. The Authority has different plans for the bay. The Authority has commissioned a study to determine the feasibility of

Bay Bridge Crossing

SOUNDM09 in ncr creating a deep water oil port in the bay. The oil port idea has not proven popular with county officials in recent weeks. The bridge plan is more enthusiastically backed according to Thomas who says tourists and potential tourists to the Cape are put off by poor, irregular and expensive ferry seivice. ,

_. # , The Authority, in a feasibility study conducted by the URS Corp. of New York and Arthur D. Little Inc. of Cambridge, Mass, claims a bridge across the mouth of the bay would cost $500 million and that present traffic does not warrant and would not generate the tolls needed to pay the bond interest on the bridge.

* The Authority’s information is "misleading and irresponsible,” Thomas charges. "The concerned groups of this project find information concerning the porposed bridge project inaccurate if not downright false,” he said. The $£00,000 figure is the maximum cost for such a bridge, Thomas said.

According to Consultants Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas of New York City, the bridge carry the more modest price tag

of $150-$200 million.

In addition , if a highspeed light rail line were added to the bridge federal mass transit funds would be available for the

project, Thomas said. piacing "Are the officials of the in deep

Authority so short-sighted as to the future needs that they fail to note the importance of mass transit or • are they playing country club games with the Authority and the people?"

Thomas added.

Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas in a preliminary report dated last year proposed three possible bridge crossing sites, (see B illustration). The Lower Crossing is the most direct, but the most expensive. Construction of the bridge on this site would include "A very expensive Tunnel.” Estimated cost on the Lofoer Crossing site is .over

$500 million.

The Middle Crossing site "is more attractive from a design and con true tion viewpoint,” the report says. An all-bridge crossing would be feasible for $200-$250 million, it

added.

Tha drawback to the Middle Crossing is that it

crosses two deep water

navigational channels used by deep draft tankers. "This operation

evidently involves frequent

passage of very large ships

across the ajighment of the

Middle Crossing, and acing a bridge structure deep water in the way of

such traffic is just asking for trouble,” the report

says.

The Upper Crossing, however, "appears to avoid most of the serious problems with the other two routes," according to

the study.

The addition of a light rail passenger train service to the bridge extending the Seashore Line from Cape May County to the Delaware side via the Upper Crossing a "entirely constructible and feasible,” an addendum

noted.

The proposed bridge, said Thomas would provide five years construction employment to the area. "Now with the energy shortage, traveling 147 miles around is a waste of fuel and energy,” he added. Motorists will save 80

(fage 13 Please)

Hurricane Safety: Serious Business

COURT HOUSE - If Hurricane David wends his windy way north to South Jersey this week he won't find (he local Civil Defense and American Red Cross napping. Busy monitoring the path of David, perhaps the most destructive hurricane in years, the two agencies began making energency preparations by Tuesday. Civil Defense meterologist William Gery was also keeping a close eye on this week’s tides which will be the highest of •he year.

The high tides, beginning Monday, peaking on Thursday and continuing through Sept. 10 could mean flooding at the very least if Hurricanef David comes to call.« Minnie Bart, Diasaster Chairman for the Cape may County American Red Cross said she had been busy delivering cots to some of the county's 16 Civil Defense shelters Tuesday. The shelters are located ^.strategically around the county and are marked by the civil defense symbol.

Should the anticipated emergency arise the American Red Cross regular staff of 16 would swell to 150 with its standby volunteers. Bari said. "We are strictly here to make people comfortable and to feed them." Bart said. The Red Cross works in conjunction with the Civil Defense, rescue squads, police and fire departments in disaster situations, she added. The people of Cape may county have been very cooperative when evacuations ahve been

deemed necessary. Bart said. The last hurricane evacuation in the county was in 1977 and the Re Cross set up evacuation centers last winter during the 1978 blizzard. Emergency prepardeness teams urge the public* not to panic if threatening weather develops, but be prepared for evacuation if necessary. Vital hurricane safety rules, rules that could save your life are as follows: 1 Enter each hurricane season prepared. Every

June through Noveifiber, rccheck your supply of boards, tools, batteries, nonperishable foods, .and the other equipment you will need when a hurricane

strikes you town.

2. When you hear the first tropical cyclone advisory, listen for future messages; this will prepare you for a hurricane energency well in advance of the issuance of watches and warnings. 3. When your area is covered by a hurricae watch, continue normal activities, but stay turned to radio or television for all

NOAA National Weather Service advisories. Remember: a hurricane watch means possible danger: if the danger materializes, a hurricane warning will be issued. Meanwhile, keep alert. Ignore rumors. 4. When your area receives a hurricane warning: Plan you time before storm arrives and avoid the last minute hurry which might leave you marooned, or unprepared. (Page 13 Please)