JERSEY CITY, N.J. (1010 WINS/AP) -- Officials are hoping the return of redesigned holiday decorations will keep the season bright for commuters who travel through the Holland Tunnel.
A slightly larger Christmas tree than the one used last year will be placed to cover the letter "A'' and a wreath will cover the letter "O.'"
A menorah will be positioned adjacent to the toll plaza on the New Jersey side of the tunnel.
After complaints the decades-old decorations over the New York-bound tunnel were distracting -- or what the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey call a "spirited" debate -- more than 21,000 people last year voted in a poll commissioned by the Port Authority.
Voters wanted the tree moved from over the "N'' in "Holland" to cover the "A," and the wreath moved from over the "U."
"Last year, we heard our decorations at the Holland Tunnel weren't up to snuff, and we took action. This season, the design matches the results of the 2018 customer poll, complete with a newly resized tree to cover the A," said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole. "It's truly a time of merriment and cheer, and we look forward to continuing our holiday traditions of decorating the New Jersey/New York crossings for our customers to enjoy."
Cory Windelspecht, who began an online petition last year that sparked a new design for the Holland Tunnel decorations, said, "I'm happy the Port Authority had some holiday fun with the public last year and showed that they do care about how we feel and what we think. I'm very happy they are keeping the holiday tradition of lighting up the Holland Tunnel alive and look forward to a great Christmas and Holiday season in New York, the greatest city in the world."
The decorations go up Monday.
