Sprawl Highway Lives On in New
Princeton Area Plan
Following the release of a draft environmental impact
statement, NJ DOT recently held a public hearing on nineteen
alternatives under consideration for the long-stalled
and highly controversial Millstone Bypass project in
central New Jersey.
Booth Bill Countdown Yet to Begin
Earlier this month, the Assembly and the Senate passed
a bill (A.9020, S.5473) that provides a moratorium
on the closing of token booths for up to three years
after the bill goes into effect. The bill would also
create a transit safety committee to study methods
of making the subways safer.
State Truck Route Good to Go
In MTR #421, we reported that the NY State bill hiking
fines for truck drivers who deviate from approved
NYC truck routes required a City Council “home
rule resolution” before it could be sent to
the governor for final approval. However, according
to City Council member David Yassky, the legislation
does not require the resolution and will head straight
to the Governor’s office.
MTA: A Toll Policy Out of Time
Last week, Newsday revisited the Tri-State Transportation
Campaign’s February report, developed by Komanoff
Energy Associates, urging the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority to adopt a time-of-day price scheme when
it raised bridge and tunnel tolls.
EZ Pass Future: Look Ahead, Not Back
The Star-Ledger opined last week that NJ toll road authorities should
ensure that every toll lane in the state is able to
read E-ZPass toll tags. The paper argued that this
would cut down on weaving and lane-jockeying among
drivers going into toll plazas.
ConnDOT Blocks Merritt Trail
Connecticut DOT refuses to give up rights to a small
portion of the Merritt Parkway right of way, effectively
prohibiting creation of a bike and pedestrian trail
along the road.
Brooklyn Traffic Calming Study Fails
During June, the New York City DOT held its “wrap-up” meeting
for its downtown Brooklyn traffic calming study. At
the meeting, DOT announced it would not implement any
of the suggestions from the six-year investigation.
The $6 million traffic calming project, funded by federal
anti-pollution grants, was first announced in 1998
and lauded as an innovation pilot program.
TEA-3 Put Off Two Years?
The National Journal’s “Congress Daily” reported
Wednesday that Senate staffers had become very pessimistic
about the chances this year for a multi-year reauthorization
of the federal transportation program.
Oregon Prods Insurers to Offer Mileage-based Premiums
The Oregon Environmental Council announced in June
that the Oregon legislature had approved a measure
that will encourage auto insurance companies to try
out cents-per-mile premiums...
