There is perhaps no better time than now to count one’s blessings. So before we join 48.7 million other Americans on NJ Transit, the Albany-Rensselaer gondola, the Yep Tour bus and the Merritt Parkway to gather with family and friends this Thursday, we’d like to take a moment to share what we’re thankful for in 2016:

Urban highways are coming down — There’s progress toward taking down elevated highway structures and re-connecting communities in Hartford, Rochester, Niagara Falls, Syracuse and the Bronx.

New Jersey’s gas tax was increased, and it’s dedicated to transportation — It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t come without some compromises, but the state’s Transportation Trust Fund is solvent once again, and its main revenue source is secure from raids.

Citi Bike’s expansion — In 2016, New York City’s bike share system — which broke its own daily ridership record nine times in September — spread farther north in Manhattan, farther south in Brooklyn, and planning is underway for further expansion in Queens.

Governor Cuomo’s attention to transit — Thanks to some nudging from the governor, the state-run Metropolitan Transportation Authority is slowly but surely moving into the 21st century with investments in open road tolling, open gangway subway cars, and smartphone ticketing on LIRR and Metro-North.

More TOD coming to Connecticut — Hartford, West Hartford and New Britain are paving the way for transit-oriented development along the CTfastrak bus rapid transit corridor, while Danbury and Milford are exploring development opportunities near their rail stations.

Public Advocate Letitia James and the closure of the right-of-way loophole — The New York City Council unanimously passed a bill which updates an outdated, nonsensical traffic rule. Now pedestrians have the right-of-way not just during the “walk” phase, but also “when a countdown clock is in progress or when a red hand signal is flashing.”

Someone will be held accountable for the death of cyclist Matthew von Ohlen — Months have passed since von Ohlen was killed by a reckless driver on Grand Street in Brooklyn. That a suspect has been identified and charged is a positive sign for Vision Zero moving forward.

A new Port Authority Bus Terminal is actually happening — After years of ignoring the 230,000 daily trans-Hudson bus commuters who use the outdated PABT, the Port Authority has responded to pressure from advocates and elected officials with plans to replace the terminal.

Alec Baldwin — If he won’t throw cookies at aggressive, impatient drivers, who will?

Progress toward improving walkability around NYC’s busy transportation hubs — Plaza33 is here to stay, and City Council Transportation Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez has introduced a bill which could bring wider sidewalks to the streets around Penn Station and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Three buildings on the Upper West Side will no longer bear his name — It’s the little things.

The war is over — The ridiculous war about a bike lane on Brooklyn’s Prospect Park West, that is.

And finally, we’re especially thankful to be surrounded by partner civic organizations who believe in justice, inclusion, and equity, as well as elected leaders like Mayor Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, and Governors Andrew Cuomo and Dannel Malloy who are willing to stand in support of diversity and tolerance.