Victory in Highlands: Rt. 206 Plan Is Pulled
On February 4, Sussex County Freeholder Susan Zellman announced that funding for the widening of Route 206 in Byram Township had been removed from NJDOT’s 10-Year Capital Plan, citing a lack of local support. After years of battling this unsustainable and environmentally detrimental project, this is a great victory for the Highlands as well as […]
Kheel Plan’s Powerful Ideas Won’t Fade From Public View
Last month the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission selected the “alternative congestion pricing plan” (as described here) as its recommended traffic reduction plan for New York City, a vital step towards a more balanced and equitable regional transportation system. Unsurprisingly, the plan’s entrance into the political landscape has sparked furious discussion. Another plan which has received […]
A Warning From the Past on Hudson River Crossings
The Tappan Zee/Interstate 287 study team’s decision to split the project’s environmental review into multiple phases — first selecting a transit alternative and finalizing bridge design, then finalizing the details of the transit system while the bridge is constructed, and finally building transit after completion of the bridge — is predicated on reasons which seem […]
Governor Rell Calls for Split of ConnDOT but Misses Greater Opportunities in State of the State
Governor Rell presented her 2008 State of the State address to the General Assembly on Wednesday, focusing on issues ranging from crime reform to economic development. Her biggest transportation proposal was to split ConnDOT into a Department of Highways and a separate Department of Public Transporation, Aviation and Ports. The Governor also proposed a speed […]
Livable Streets, Transit-Oriented Development Not Completely Abandoned in NJ
While NJ Gov. Corzine’s asset monetization plan, which includes $3 billion to widen the state’s toll roads, has dominated the press, towns and state agencies have continued to work towards walkable and transit-friendly communities. Transit Villages and a Transit Hub Interest in NJ Transit and NJDOT’s Transit Village program has mounted as more municipalities come […]
Press Release: Two Dozen Environmental Groups Call NJ Road Projects a Waste of Money, Call for Smarter Projects
New Jersey transportation and environmental organizations convened in Trenton today to voice opposition to plans to widen the Garden State Parkway, NJ Turnpike, and Atlantic City Expressway. The three projects in total are estimated to cost nearly $3 billion, even though they will provide no long-term congestion relief. Earlier this week, over two dozen transportation […]
Bush Budget Boo$ts Regional Transit, ¢uts National Transit
The Bush administration’s 2009 federal budget released earlier this week includes significant new funding for New York City region transit. $211 million is slated for the East Side Access project and $277 million for the Second Avenue Subway. The administration also budgets $54.1 million for the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail and $14.7 million for further study […]
Frankel Maps ConnDOT Progress on Smart Growth, Transit Efforts
The Connecticut General Assembly’s Transportation Committee received a briefing by ConnDOT Interim Commissioner Emil Frankel last week on the draft report of the Governor’s Commission for Reform of the Department of Transportation. The report focused on how ConnDOT could become more transparent and accountable, but also recommended that the agency pursue “fix-it-first” policy, smart growth, […]
“Grassroots” Backing for NJ Toll Plan Is Anything But
The political maneuvering over Gov. Corzine’s “fiscal restructuring” toll plan reached disquieting levels last week with the creation of “Save Our State,” a 501(c)(4) advocacy group funded by the governor and run by directors clearly connected to his administration. Corzine has proposed bonding against toll increases to fund transportation projects, including costly and ineffective widenings […]
Sharp Drop In Regional Traffic Deaths, But NYC Bike/Ped Deaths Rise Proportionally
The number of people killed in traffic collisions regionwide fell in 2007 over 2006 levels, according to preliminary data collected from the New York City DOT, NJ State Police and ConnDOT. 1,290 people were killed in crashes in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York City in 2007, down from about 1,400 in 2006. Regional pedestrian […]