Robert Caro characterizes Robert Moses's overcoming obstacles to build the road and open Jones Beach as an act of political genius and will.

“But he basically says, "I'm going to build it." And to watch him do it, to overcome each obstacle, there's so many, and then all of a sudden it's open, and you have Jones Beach, and you have it accessible to New York.”

“It's an act of political genius, and it's also an act of will that I'm gonna do it. That's fascinating to learn about.”