A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.

WINNERS

New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney — After several bridge closures, Sweeney declared that “[New Jersey’s] transportation priorities are mixed up,” and is now calling for the creation of a comprehensive transportation plan for the state.

Advocates for Albany reform — The arrest of New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has put the state’s political system under scrutiny, generating widespread calls for reform.

“Gridlock” Sam Schwartz — The engineer and former NYC traffic commissioner has proposed a potential work-around for the 91st Street Marine Transfer Station’s truck traffic problem.

Amtrak — The agency has given cross-Hudson commuters a sliver of hope to cling to for the first time since Governor Christie shut down the ARC plan: Amtrak will be taking its first step toward the construction of two new rail tunnels with an environmental review this fall, and in the meantime they continue to lobby for funding for the Gateway project.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano — At least week’s State of Long Island breakfast event, Mangano mourned the loss of the county’s school zone speed camera program, insisting that it was successful while it lasted.

LOSERS

Queens residents — Elected officials seem bent on blocking progress on local projects that would improve transportation options in the borough. City Councilman Rory Lancman and State Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz are opposing the creation of an SBS route connecting Jamaica and Flushing because cars are a “fact of life.” Meanwhile, State Senator Joe Addabbo Jr. has said that his constituents “would be happy just leaving [the abandoned Rockaway Beach rail line] the way it is.”

Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy — The Governor is spending a lot of time talking about widening highways these days.

New York State Senator Chuck Schumer — Senator Schumer has been advocating for Route 17 expansion for at least a decade, and is no longer satisfied with the project he advanced in 2013; he is now calling for an even greater expansion of the roadway to accommodate traffic for the newly-approved Sullivan County casino project.