A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
New York Assemblymember Jim Brennan — Assemblymember Brennan penned a letter with 35 other state lawmakers asking Governor Cuomo to “make good on [his] promise” to contribute $7.3 billion to the MTA capital program.
New York City Councilmember Donovan Richards — Councilmember Richards called on NYC DOT to install safety upgrades at the intersection of Francis Lewis Boulevard and Sunrise Highway in Rosedale, where a 16-year-old girl was fatally struck by a hit-and-run van driver last week.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. — BP Diaz included a dedicated bike lane along Grand Concourse among his policy goals for 2016.
Hudson County, NJ Executive Tom DeGise — DeGise advocated for raising the state gas tax to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund.
Midtown pedestrians — Penn Station’s Plaza33 will return permanently this August.
LOSERS
New York City Councilmember Vincent Gentile — Councilmember Gentile proposed a bill suspending parking meters on all legal holidays, amounting to 40 days a year compared to the current six.
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy — When asked about induced traffic caused by widening Interstate 95 on the radio show Where We Live, the governor told host John Dankosky, “I think you repeated a talking point that folks who don’t want to invest in highways frequently use.”
Hoboken City Council — Instead of approving a plan that would have brought protected bike lanes to Washington Street, Hoboken City Council backed a plan that facilitates (illegal) double parking.
America — U.S. drivers drove a record-breaking 3.148 trillion miles in 2015. Also during 2015, U.S. traffic fatalities rose by 8 percent–the largest year-to-year increase in 50 years.
If the goal is to facilitate the movement of x number of people between locations within a corridor, what is the mix that results in the least net cost to government per trip? How would improving speeds and frequencies on Metro North and the lines to Hartford and New London compare with adding lanes to I-95. Assume that fuel excise taxes reduce the cost to government while providing parking facilities and increased local road infrastructure increase the costs.