Big Plans Unveiled to Make NY Move Better

By MICHAEL ODMARK

New York State officials unveiled ambitious legislation to revamp the city’s transportation systems in a press conference beneath Harlem’s Metro-North station on Thursday.

Announced by Assemblyman Robert J. Rodriguez, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Infrastructure, the proposal is the first big legislative move towards implementing efforts introduced by the Move NY Fair Plan, which aims to cut outer-borough tolls in exchange for restored or additional tolls in areas where public transit is more accessible.

Move NY was developed by “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz a noted tranportation expert, who expressed his appreciation for “local officials taking initiative.”

“Bridge shopping must end,” he said, explaining the initiative to add tolls on Manhattan area bridges in an effort to eliminate the popular habit of exiting highways to avoid the expense. This legislation would add a toll on the four East River bridges, which would be collected electronically—either via Easy Pass or optical license-plate cameras.

“A modern city demands a modern transportation system,” said Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, who described the city as falling behind those in Western Europe.

In addition to the efforts to implement Move NY, another major part of the proposal, called Transit Gap Investment Fund, would attempt to expand and improve accessibility for all areas of New York, particularly those in so-called “transit deserts”, areas inaccessible to public transportation.

The list of projects that make up TGIF were estimated at $3.5 billion, and include phase two of the Second Avenue Subway construction, and the long-rumored Triboro RX line, which would link Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx using underused freight lines.

Move NY hopes to form a dedicated revenue stream for roads and bridges, and supporters say that the new bill would earn $1.35 billion in new annual revenue, and, when bonded, generate over $12 billion for transportation maintenance. This revenue would come from the new CBD tolls, new taxi surcharges, and increased use of transit and outer bridges.

It was an unusual venue for a press conference, with loud trains intermittently passing overhead, but its position was intentionally chosen for its relevance. “We’re blocks from where the 2nd avenue Subway line is supposed to be,” said Chairman Rodriguez.

The pressure for approval in Albany was expressed by many speakers, and Sam Schwartz expressed optimistism. “The governor is on board,” he explained. “He was skeptical at first, but he has had plenty of opportunities to walk out on the deal. [So far] he hasn’t.”

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