Transportation

NYC Transportation Budget Hearing

Today, May 23, 2012 NYC Council Members James Vacca, Chair of the Transportation Committee, and Domenic Recchia, Chair of the Finance Committee, will hold a joint hearing to discuss the Administration’s Executive Budgets with respect to transportation.

Since the Committee’s preliminary budget hearings, MTA’s capital plan has been fully funded through 2014, but the Agency has planned fare hikes of 7.5% in both January 2013 and January 2015. In addition, the East Side Access project was recently announced to be $1B over budget and far behind its scheduled completion date.

NY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER ON THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said today: “The New York State Department of Transportation shares community concerns about the safety of the Bronx River Parkway in the wake of the tragic crash that claimed the lives of seven family members on April 29.

“Since Sunday’s accident, we have been working on interim actions that will be implemented on the parkway beginning this morning.

Death of Bronx Cyclist Reactions

NYC Councilman Vacca, Transportation Alternatives issue statements on death of Bronx cyclist calling for NYPD to step up traffic enforcement, thoroughly investigate crashes.

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Public Safety on our Streets?

Following a series of high profile injuries resulting from items thrown from pedestrian overpasses, Council Member Erik Martin Dilan, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, and Council Member James Vacca, Chair of the Committee on Transportation, will hold a joint hearing to examine two bills that address the need for fencing on publicly accessible overpasses.

Introduction 750-A would require private developers to construct 8-foot high fences on publicly accessible pedestrian walkways and commercial parking garages that are part of shopping malls.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals

Tomorrow, NYC Council Member James Vacca will join Bronx DOT Commissioner Connie Moran at the newly-installed accessible pedestrian signal on Morris Park Avenue, just west of Eastchester Road, in order to highlight the fact that these important devices have now come to the Bronx.

TRANSPORTATION WEATHER WARNING

Amtrak is currently holding all eastbound Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains (that travel between New York and Boston) in Penn Station, New York, due to signal issues on Metro North's New Haven Line. Several other Metro North lines are also experiencing delays or suspensions. Amtrak customers should contact Amtrak at 1-800-USARAIL, for information on their specific train. Visit www.mta.info for updates concerning Metro North.