A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
Connecticut State Representative Jonathan Steinberg — Representative Steinberg joined Tri-State and ConnPIRG to urge Governor Malloy to reconsider the widening of I-95, citing logistical, financial and environmental concerns.
New York City Councilmember Ritchie Torres — Councilmember Torres plans to introduce legislation to encourage more accurate and diverse representation on Community Boards.
Nassau County Legislator Laura Curran — Legislator Curran fought to save 11 bus routes from service cuts by urging County Executive Edward Mangano to use $4 million in surplus sales-tax revenue.
Hartford Planning & Zoning Commission — The city adopted a new form-based zoning code that encourages walkable and bikeable development and eliminates downtown parking requirements.
Queens Boulevard pedestrians and bicyclists — For the first time in 25 years, there were zero traffic fatalities on the roadway formerly known as the Boulevard of Death in 2015.
LOSERS
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — Governor Christie pocket vetoed a bill that would have established a Pedestrian-Bicycle Safety Advisory Council. It’s worth noting that cyclist and pedestrian fatalities in 2014 were so high in the Garden State that the Federal Highway Administration identified New Jersey as a pedestrian “focus state.”
Connecticut Senate President Martin Looney — Senator Looney said he will delay a vote on establishing tolls until 2017.
New York City Police Department — The NYPD opposed a bill that would crack down on drivers using fake parking placards, citing “significant fiscal, operational and technological issues,” according to Streetsblog.
Wood-Ridge, NJ commuters — Wood-Ridge residents are still waiting on the completion of the Wesmont Station, which was originally scheduled to open in 2011.
Capital Region pedestrians — Since December 6, seven pedestrians have been struck and killed by drivers on four-lane highways in the Capital Region.
Update: An earlier version of this post stated seven pedestrians were struck and killed by drivers on Route 9 in Saratoga County. It has been corrected.
