400,000 fewer cars and trucks traveled the NJ Turnpike in the first three months of 2008 than over the same period last year, according to a recent article in the Star-Ledger. With the Turnpike widening predicated on growing traffic volumes (the DEIS states that “the purpose of the Proposed Project is to service existing [...]
A thorough review of New Jersey’s draft 2009 capital program offers some troubling insight into the Garden State’s future transportation priorities. In the short term, NJDOT continues to abide by its nationally recognized “fix-it-first” investment strategy, prioritizing road and bridge maintenance and repair over new capacity expansion. But beyond 2010, spending on new [...]
Two weeks ago, the price of crude oil reached an all-time high of about $110 a barrel. The price has since fallen to about $102. (For some perspective, last year Americans were cringing at prices of $60 a barrel). If the dollar’s value continues to plummet, there’s no reason to believe that oil will return [...]
March 14, 2008 – 10:12 am
The transportation sector’s contribution to climate change is well-documented. The latest EPA greenhouse gas inventory ascribes 26% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to cars, trucks, buses, trains, aircraft, construction vehicles and ships, a slightly higher percentage than in 1990. But there has been no comprehensive analysis of how expected climate change impacts will [...]
Arguing that rebuilding America’s roads, bridges and transit systems will do far more for the flailing economy than the $300-$1,200 family tax rebates included in the recently passed $168 billion stimulus package, 15 governors from a non-partisan coalition called on the federal government last month to dramatically boost infrastructure spending.
The Building America’s Future coalition, chaired [...]
February 6, 2008 – 4:36 pm
The Bush administration’s 2009 federal budget released earlier this week includes significant new funding for New York City region transit. $211 million is slated for the East Side Access project and $277 million for the Second Avenue Subway. The administration also budgets $54.1 million for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and $14.7 million for further study [...]
February 1, 2008 – 1:20 pm
The number of people killed in traffic collisions regionwide fell in 2007 over 2006 levels, according to preliminary data collected from the New York City DOT, NJ State Police and ConnDOT. 1,290 people were killed in crashes in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York City in 2007, down from about 1,400 in 2006. Regional pedestrian [...]
January 25, 2008 – 2:39 pm
More than one-third of Long Island residents would trade their single-family home for an apartment, condo or townhouse, according to the Long Island Index released this week by the Rauch Foundation. The 80-page report examines economic, population, housing, environmental, and other trends in Nassau and Suffolk counties, and finds that Long Island’s dependence on [...]
January 15, 2008 – 4:36 pm
A report released by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission calls for a significant federal gasoline tax increase of up to 40 cents implemented over 5 years, and argues that “a cultural shift will need to take place across America to encourage our citizens to take transit or passenger rail when the [...]
January 11, 2008 – 3:34 pm
It’s apparent from the report (PDF) released yesterday that the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission took careful notes during the more than 25 hours of public testimony given on the Mayor’s congestion pricing plan. The report examines the Mayor’s plan, along with four alternatives reflecting concerns raised over several months of public hearings.
“Congratulations to the [...]
