MTR 300, City Truck Route Re-do Reborn

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 300 January 15, 2001

City Truck Route Re-do Reborn

Last week, the New York City DOT revealed that the agency has revised the Request for Proposals (RFP) for reconfiguring the NYC truck route network successfully opposed by a coalition of citizen groups and elected officials in 1999. The original RFP did not require the contractor to consider pedestrian safety, noise pollution or property damage when recommending new truck routes. Further, there were considerable questions raised about enforcement of the truck routes and public participation in the decision-making process.

The rerouting study was to be funded through Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) money that had been earmarked but not used for other programs by the City DOT. Due to the outcry of Council Members and community groups, the agency was not permitted to switch the funding.

An NYC DOT representative stated that neither Council Members nor community groups could review the new RFP prior to its release because it would violate the contract process. However, the agency said the four main sections of the new RFP address truck route selection and design, signs for the routes, enforcement and education. The agency expects the document to be released by the end of January.