A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo – This morning Governor Cuomo signed into law a piece of legislation that authorizes the expansion of speed camera use on Long Island, saying that “By empowering Nassau and Suffolk Counties to install dozens of speed cameras in school zones, we are helping to protect our students and ultimately save lives. This should send a message to all drivers – slow down and obey the speed limit, especially when passing by a school.”
Hopewell Township, NJ – The township became the 100th municipality in the Garden State to embrace Complete Streets and the first municipality to do so by way of a Complete Streets ordinance. According to the Township Administrator/Engineer Paul Pogorzelski, “we decided that this policy should be in the form of an ordinance and have the weight of law rather than simply be part of a resolution which does not transcend governing body changes. ”
Amtrak – Amtrak announced that they have begun testing new bike-friendly baggage cars to alleviate passengers of the hassle of boxing and checking their bikes as luggage. These baggage cars, which are manufactured in New York state, are expected to be put into service on all 15 long-distance routes by the end of this year.
New Jersey Transit – The agency has unofficially launched its first-ever one seat ride summer shore rail service from Penn Station to Bay Head using new energy-efficient dual-powered locomotives. Riders will save 25 minutes by not having to change trains at Long Branch, which will likely boost ridership to the shore and alleviate summer parking in shore towns.
LOSERS
New York water infrastructure – Yesterday, Tri-State and eight other groups sent a letter to the Board of the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation with regards to a $511 million no-interest and low-interest loan for the New NY Bridge construction project. The groups believe the project does not meet the criteria to receive clean water funds assistance, especially when qualified clean water projects in the region remain underfunded.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie – Yet another bridge-related scandal is unfolding as the SEC has announced a probe into the questionable funding strategy for the Pulaski Skyway repairs.
President Barack Obama – As support is growing for a raise in the gas tax to revive the Highway Trust Fund, the White House is refusing to support the bipartisan measure.
Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City – Scared off by the media coverage of Citi Bike’s financial woes, potential investors have jumped ship on a new bike share program for the cities of Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City, resulting in an indefinite delay to the program’s roll-out.
