miller responded by arguing that something had to be done right away. he said that if the port authority could put forward a comprehensive plan within five years, he would put his full support behind it. he also pointed out that his plan was only one part of his "comprehensive plan for the relief of traffic congestion"; he had already widened many avenues and removed several midtown elevated railroad spurs. he said the plan would not give the nycrr any rights they did not already have; it was merely a relocation of existing tracks. the tracks had been on the surface for 55 years despite legal action taken against them, and miller claimed they would be there for another 50 if nothing were done. miller also received a letter from nycrr vice president ira place, stating that the railroad would reduce freight rates if the new elevated structure were built.