In some areas, Forestiere used chunks of hardpan to line the walls of his caverns and create archways. His relatives worry that the vibrations from construction could dislodge or damage those features.

"This is not modern building material," Valery Forestiere said. "It's hardpan, and in some areas it's just dry-stacked."

The rail authority acknowledged that in its draft EIR, published last fall, the gardens "was previously in the direct path of roadway changes" on Shaw Avenue. The proposed overpass "would have resulted in a direct adverse effect on the northeast corner of this historic property."

Burcar said the plans have changed in recent months and the overpass no longer poses a threat to the Forestiere property. Instead of starting near the attraction's gate, the overpass has been shifted east of Cornelia Avenue.

"The closest place of any construction on the overpass is 133 feet east from Cornelia Avenue," Burcar said. "Our findings are that there won't be any negative effects, and we don't think anything will happen."

Parking is the other big concern. The Underground Gardens used to have its parking lot on the land next door -- before legal battles through the 1980s between brothers Ric and Joe Forestiere divided the property into two parcels.

Ric owns the western portion with the Underground Gardens business, and Joe's widow Mary owns the eastern parcel. Visitors now park along Shaw Avenue and side streets including Cornelia and Forestiere avenues.

If the overpass extended west of Cornelia, much of the Shaw Avenue parking would be eliminated and access to Cornelia Avenue would be cut off. "What's the good of preserving the gardens if no one can come out and visit it?" Valery Forestiere asked.

In the revised plans, "there are no lane configuration changes, no effect on Shaw Avenue west of Cornelia, or on Cornelia," Burcar said. "We will not be affecting those streets where the on-street parking is happening now."

Valery Forestiere welcomed the changes, but is waiting to hear it from the rail authority itself: "It's too bad that I'm hearing about them [from a reporter] instead of from the authority."

The side of the family that wants to sell the eastern parcel also is disappointed by the lack of communication. Said Anthony Forestiere: "I guess if they didn't tell us we were going to be impacted, they didn't feel a need to tell us we would not be impacted."