on february 2, 1925, it was announced that the railroad would build a combined double-decker elevated highway and freight railroad (with the highway above the railroad) for $24 million at no cost to the city. at the time, eleventh avenue was popularly known as "death avenue" owing to the dangers of the surface line. the elevated structure would eliminate 106 grade crossings over 84 blocks. the proposal came about after six months of negotiations between manhattan borough president julius miller and the nycrr. the planned highway would no longer go to the battery, instead ending at canal street, meeting the holland tunnel (which would open to traffic on november 13, 1927). the northern terminus was set at 72nd street and riverside drive. ramps were planned at canal street, 23rd street, riverside drive, and at least two other locations.