The Port Authority is only offering compensation for problems from Bayonne Bridge construction to one side of homeowners on John Street, and not the other. The agency says the homes whose front yards face the bridge are 'outside the official work zone,' yet they tell NY1 they suffer the same problems. NY1's Lisa Voyticki reports.
Listening to construction noise and seeing extra dust was how residents on John Street right under the Bayonne Bridge spent their spring break.
David Dotson's backyard faces the bridge; but, because of the pollution, he says he dismantled his barbeque, and will not let his pets outside.
Pointing to his empty backyard patio, he said "You can't come out this way. You can't, because the dust is flying around, you can't open the windows."
It's the same scenario across the street. Robert Ramirez says his 12-year-old son Robert Jr. has asthma and can't play outside.
"I was advised by my personal doctor to actually move him away from my house until the construction was over for the next five years," said Ramirez.
But Ramirez lives on the side of John Street that is not entitled to any compensation for exposure to pollution and noise from the Bayonne Bridge construction.
Homes like Dotson's whose yards face the bridge are entitled to $5,000 from the Port Authority for new windows plus vouchers for new air conditioners, car washes and power washing their homes. Homes, like Ramirez's, whose front yard face the bridge - are not entitled to anything, yet, Port Richmond High School which is behind them and even further from the bridge is getting new air conditioning units.
"I was told by Christopher Lee, a representative from the Port Authority at one time that it was because there is children in the school," said resident Marie Wausnock, who says she has been contacting federal, state and local officials. "We have children and babies that live on this street, we have seniors on this street."
The Port Authority said in a statement that Wausnock's side of John Street falls 'outside the official work zone' but 'any resident that believes their home has been adversely impacted may submit an insurance claim to the agency for review.'
"I just want what is fair. I do not want more and I do not want less; and, I do not live in a castle but to me it is home," said resident Carolyn Friedman.
Residents have arranged for a meeting with the the Staten Island liasion for the Port Authority Tuesday.