Streetsblog NYC’s Post

All I can say is, my prayers were answered! Congestion Pricing is HALTED at the eleventh hour. Recently, my husband had a doctor's appointment on the Eastside, and we faced an all-too-familiar struggle—finding street parking was impossible. With the abundance of commercial parking zones, coupled with bus and bike lanes, maneuvering through NYC has become increasingly difficult, but as a small business I travel to NYC weekly to make deliveries, demo my product in stores, make sales, merchandise, etc. Using mass transit is not an option because of the amount of product I have to take with me. As I sat in the car waiting, my thoughts turned to the small businesses like mine that depend on their own transportation, limo services, wholesalers, local delivery drivers, and medical transport companies are just a few examples. How would they survive under the new congestion pricing model? Additionally, my husband's doctor shared that many of his colleagues have left NYC. The hustle and bustle are taking a toll on their quality of life, and the rising crime rates add to their sense of insecurity. These issues are prompting them to rethink their commitment to the city. I can’t help but reminisce about the days when the city felt safer and more manageable. The days when I looked forward to going into the city because I could find parking, it didn't cost an arm and a leg, I wouldn't be run down by an electric bike and I wouldn't get a contact high walking down the street. I know we can do better, anybody have some positive suggestions?

Congestion pricing is here! Thank you, Henry Grabar, for citing our Hunter Urban Policy and Planning Studio’s research: while only 45% of NYC households own a vehicle, larger household sizes mean 54% of New Yorkers live in a vehicle-owning household. All New Yorkers, drivers and non-drivers alike, stand to benefit from reduced congestion, cleaner air, and better transit. Early results are promising - this morning’s Holland Tunnel commute dropped from 23 to just 12 minutes. You can compare traffic data before and after here: https://lnkd.in/dpyF6ANb

Congestion pricing – in which drivers are charged a fee for entering certain roads or lanes – is a more effective strategy for reducing traffic congestion than other policies, according to #USCPrice experts. But the decision to halt the Manhattan plan reflects #political challenges to cut the number of motorists on U.S. roads. “We have a system developed over a century that vastly underprices use of the private vehicle,” said Genevieve Giuliano, USC Price distinguished professor. “Since most voters are private vehicle users, it is really hard to make changes that move us closer to a user pay system.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gA2Y_8AU

Bill Alert! US House Bill HRES 27 - Expressing opposition to Central Business District Tolling Program of New York City. Policy: Transportation and Public Works Full Details: https://lnkd.in/eYfvyZbw Bill 119 H.Res. 27, titled "Expressing opposition to Central Business District Tolling Program of New York City," is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The bill aims to voice opposition to the Central Business District Tolling Program proposed by New York City. The Central Business District Tolling Program is a plan put forth by New York City officials to implement tolls on vehicles entering certain parts of Manhattan in order...

So the provincial government in Ontario is introducing legislation to "require municipalities to get provincial approval before building any new bike lanes that reduce lanes of vehicle traffic. Municipalities would need to demonstrate any proposed bike lanes will not have a "negative impact on vehicle traffic," according to the province." It seems reckless to interfere in the fine-grained fabric of local streets and roads by removing the ability of street-level decision makers who can tweak, finetune, and rapid-build our streets. The modest repurposing of public rights-of-way is something that needs a deft touch - not a heavy-handed, quasi-scientific ("we have data!") provincial government that lacks local context. https://lnkd.in/g9Ax7c9Y

More on New York's last-minute and apparently fly-by-night scrapping of plans for a congestion charge, via the Governor's order. I've already joked to one New Yorker that this is just the latest example of "Kelcey's First Law of City Politics" at work (no big decision in city politics is ever made only once). But it also confirms the accelerating trend of North American governments appeasing driver hostility to place-based tolls and charges, regardless of the short term cost. How long before Canadian and US tolls become an extinct species? https://lnkd.in/gBpk9nXJ

Bill Alert! US Senate Bill S 3670 - A bill to require States to establish complete streets programs, and for other purposes. Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/e2gSdHqc Bill 118 s 3670, also known as the Complete Streets Act, is a proposed piece of legislation that would require all states to establish complete streets programs. These programs would aim to make streets safer and more accessible for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and public transportation users. The bill outlines specific requirements for these complete streets programs, including the consideration of all users in the planning, desi...

This summer's going to be a hot one. Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions and at this point, we just don't have another 50 years to decide whether congestion pricing is worth implementing. We can follow in the footsteps of cities like London and Singapore who have successfully implemented congestion charges, or we can bear the costs (gridlock, sea level rise, increased air pollution, greater road fatalities, the list goes on...).

🚦 Tackling Business Interruption in Liberty Village 🚦 Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik is urging city staff to devise a plan to address the "critical" congestion levels in Liberty Village. Summer construction and major events at nearby venues have worsened traffic, leaving residents and businesses in a bind. Long-time resident Graham O’Hanlon shares the frustration, feeling "trapped" in his neighborhood due to lengthy commutes. This congestion not only affects daily life but also disrupts local businesses, causing significant financial losses. For businesses facing interruptions, forensic restitution can be a vital tool in filing claims for these disruptions. By accurately documenting the financial impact, businesses can seek compensation and support to mitigate their losses during these challenging times. Have you been affected? Call us today to protect your business and financial interests: 416-525-1510