The subway was delayed and still under construction; trolley tracks that formerly served Roosevelt Island via the Queensboro Bridge were unusable; and the only way on and off the island was via the Roosevelt Island Bridge to Queens. An aerial tram route, the Roosevelt Island Tramway, was opened in May 1976 as a "temporary" connection to Manhattan.
The subway service was hindered by construction; trolley tracks that previously connected Roosevelt Island to Manhattan were now unusable; and the only way to enter or exit the island was via the Roosevelt Island Bridge to Queens. A temporary aerial tramway, the Roosevelt Island Tramway, was established in May 1976 as a connection to Manhattan.