restoration of the structure was feasible, but cost-prohibitive. the chief engineer of the new york highway department estimated a $58 million cost to partially rehabilitate the structure. hardesty and hanover estimated it would cost $66 million (1976 dollars) for a new road deck, median, lighting, painting, and steel repairs. a new york city highway department representative estimated that a complete rehabilitation, including modernization, was estimated to cost $88 million. the last option was westway.