Issues: Transportation

NYSDOT Anticipates That Traffic Can Safely Return By Early April

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I - 59th District) announced today that the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has informed him that the repair work necessary to return vehicular traffic to the Old 219 Bridge (South Cascade – Miller Road) spanning the Cattaraugus Creek between the Towns of Concord and Ashford is moving forward on schedule.

State Comptroller releases report that finds Department of Transportation is holding onto surplus properties that could generate revenue for the state.

Senator Steve Saland (R, I, C – Poughkeepsie) today announced that the Senate has passed his legislation to prohibit a child under the age of eight from being left unattended in a motor vehicle when conditions present a significant risk to the health and safety of the child (S.2192A).

The New York State today passed two bills aimed at making it easier for drivers to register and use all terrain vehicles (ATVs), especially for agricultural use. Legislation (S.3318), sponsored by Senator Patricia A. Ritchie (R-C, Heuvelton), raises the legal weight limit for registering ATVs from 1,000 pounds to 1,500 pounds.  This would allow new, larger vehicles, known as utility vehicles (UTVs), to be registered in New York State.  These types of vehicles can currently be registered in other states, such as Pennsylvania, that receive the sales tax revenues from purchases.

PRESS RELEASE

February 27, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SENATOR REV. RUBEN DIAZ

Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz and Community Leader Luis Sepulveda announce intention

To begin lawsuit against the MTA for an elevator at the Parkchester Train Station.

On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Senator Ruben Diaz and Community Leader Luis Sepulveda will hold a press conference to announce their intention to commence a lawsuit against the MTA to compel them to construct an elevator at the Parkchester Train Station.

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 28th a new construction work zone will be set up along Narrows Road South near the last entrance to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, which will result a reconfiguration of traffic lanes from three to two lanes and the elimination of up to approximately 20 parking spots.

As part of the $50 million, 45-month Verrazano-Narrows toll plaza improvement project, contractors will be adding a new retaining wall and abutment for construction of the new Narrows Road South fly-over ramp to help ease both car and bus traffic onto the Brooklyn-bound upper level of the bridge. The work is also in preparation for construction of a new lower level connector roadway in 2014 that will take motorists directly from the Staten Island Expressway to the bridge’s lower level.

You might call it a pedestrian “no-man’s land,” a 16-mile stretch of roadway where an average of five people die each year. It’s not Manhattan’s Broadway or the Bronx’s Grand Concourse, nor is it notorious Queens Boulevard. It’s actually here in our backyard, Route 24, better known as Hempstead Turnpike.

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign has indentified the turnpike as the most dangerous road for pedestrians in the region for the last three years. This is an unfortunate distinction, but one that is finally drawing attention to a problem many of us have at least intuitively recognized for a long time. If you live, work, or even regularly drive there, you know it can be dangerous.

Legislation Would Ensure that Commuters Receive $240 a Month State Tax Benefit to Help Offset Mass-Transit Costs

The New York State Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), and co-sponsored by Senator Jack M. Martins, to fully restore the state’s pre-tax commuter benefit to provide savings to commuters who use the Long Island Rail Road and other mass transit.