A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy – The Connecticut senator is proposing new methods for funding rail infrastructure.
MTA and New York City Department of Transportation – The two agencies teamed up to improve way-finding in the city’s subways with the creation and installation of new unique maps detailing the area surrounding each subway station.
Fair Haven Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli – The first county in the state to adopt a Complete Streets policy is now on the way to becoming the first county in the state to create a county-wide bike lane network.
New Haven Board of Alders – The Board unanimously accepted a $760,000 grant, which will allow the City to conduct a two-year study to investigate means of improving transit options for residents and visitors.
Keegan Stephan – Upon learning of a two-week bicycle safety crackdown by the NYPD, the respected bike advocate responded, in a brilliant piece of guerrilla advocacy, by catching not one, not two, but 32 vehicles – including NYPD-owned vehicles – blocking bike lanes on his way to work today.
LOSERS
New York State Thruway Authority – Despite concerns voiced by the regional EPA administrator, state legislators, editorial boards and advocacy groups, NYSTA voted unanimously without any discussion to approve a controversial loan for the New NY Bridge construction project.
Delran Township, NJ pedestrians – According to the Burlington Times, “after years of work to install a sidewalk on Fairview Street and nearly a quarter-million dollars later,” the project has run out of money about a half a block shy of completion.
If the “Loan” to the TZ Bridge Replacement Project is truly wrong and does nothing to improve water quality or sewerage treatment projects, someone should sue them.
Just like someone should sue the NYNJPA for paying for the rebuilding of the Polasky Skyway between Jersey City and Newark. It should be 100% funded by NJ.