MTR 272, Environmental Coalition Wants Fresh Look at DOT's Long Island Plan

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 272 June 5, 2000

Environmental Coalition Wants Fresh Look at DOT's Long Island Plan

On Thursday, Long Island environmental and civic organizations issued a statement urging the New York State Dept. of Transportation to re-think its "Long Island Transportation Plan 2000 (LITP)." The plan is DOT's 20-year vision for the Island, and green and civic leaders are concerned that it heralds big increases in traffic, pollution and sprawl development.

According to a recent LITP progress update, all of the capital construction scenarios envision a major highway construction program. This includes DOT's "mass transit" alternative, which is little more than a network of new HOV lanes plus "selected roadway widenings." (see MTR #270)

"A 20-year Long Island transportation strategy is the perfect opportunity to finally break down the barrier between DOT highway work and town planning that fosters car dependent development. But it looks like we're on our way to more of the same ž more paving, more cars, more sprawl, more gridlock and more pollution," said Richard Amper, Long Island Pine Barrens Society president.

Highways that have been mentioned as strong candidates for widening in various LITP documents include the Northern State Parkway, Southern State Parkway, the Meadowbrook State Parkway, Route 110, Sagtikos Parkway, the Babylon-Farmingdale Road and Sunrise Highway in Brookhaven. The DOT 5-year program beginning this year already calls for widening NY Routes 347, 25 and 112 in Brookhaven.

The organizations urged DOT to revisit the study with an emphasis on reducing traffic, not accommodating its growth. They called especially for more emphasis on land use policies to change car-dependent development patterns. "If people didn't have to get in the car just to get milk and a loaf of bread, or drive from store to store to store for basic errands, it would significantly reduce traffic congestion," said Sustainable Long Island program manager Eric Alexander.

"All over the Island, there is a lot more interest in reducing traffic impacts on communities and slowing the traffic that comes through neighborhoods than there is in more pavement," said Neal Lewis, executive director of the Long Island Neighborhood Network. "As it looks now, the LITP study is more of a blueprint for future battles between communities and DOT than a consensus about the future of transportation."

" 'Traffic calming' is definitely the watchword in our communities," said Connie Kepert, president of the Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization. "People want transportation improvements that promote liveable neighborhoods. But it looks like the DOT sees our Main Streets as future four- and five-lane highways."

Organizations issuing the statement were the Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organization, Group for the South Fork, Long Island Neighborhood Network, Long Island Pine Barrens Society, L.I. Progressive Coalition, Sustainable Long Island and the Tri-State Campaign.