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Nov 19, 2008 8:01 pm US/Eastern
Waste Of Cash? Triborough Name Change May Cost $4M
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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New York Gov. David Paterson signed a bill renaming the Triborough Bridge in honor of Robert F. Kennedy.
AP
The Triborough Bridge on Wednesday became the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge -- a tribute that could cost nearly $4 million to change all road signs that reference the bridge.
But some New Yorkers said those signs of change don't reflect the signs of the current economic times, leaving many wondering how millions could be spent by the Department of Transportation just to change a name.
The banner on the bridge and the sign at the entrance now bear RFK's name but on Thursday a number of people, including the Kennedy family and former President Bill Clinton gathered to officially rename the Triborough after the former U.S. Senator from New York whose life came to a tragic end in 1968 when he was assassinated campaigning for the presidential election.
Many, including commuter John Pikramenos, said the move was long overdue.
"This is pretty historic time of year. [RFK was] a great person, politician as well," Pikramenos said.
However, others question the amount of money being spent on the name change during these tough economic times.
"I think if the MTA is short of money and they're complaining of cutting services why all this money for this nonsense?" commuter Andrew Karayanis said.
Not only that, but most commuters said it's hard to get used to the new name.
"We are always gonna call it the Triborough Bridge," Jose Lopez said.
Meanwhile, the MTA is facing a huge budget deficit. The transportation authority would not comment on the numbers. CEO Elliot Sander said Wednesday naming the bridge after RFK is the right thing to do.
The renaming of the bridge comes 40 years after the '68 campaign and a day before what would have been RFK's 83rd birthday.
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