Pataki Sets Tight Schedule for
Downtown LIRR Plan
In his state of the state speech last week, NY Governor
George Pataki said that later in January, the Lower Manhattan
Development Corp., the MTA and the Port Authority will
announce four options for a new Long Island Railroad
route into the downtown area.
30-Year Transportation Plan, Out of the Blue
Last week, the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission approved
its first master plan in thirty years, and introduced
a $3 billion transportation plan that includes new, congestion-creating
road projects.
Pataki Challenges Deadly Drivers
A perhaps more promising element in Governor Pataki's
speech was his pledge to propose legislation that would
eliminate the notorious problems prosecutors in New York
have had going after criminally negligent drivers.
Bloomberg Says 7-train Extension Project to Begin in
2005
In his state of the city address last week, Mayor
Bloomberg said that despite lower pedestrian fatalities
city-wide, his administration would later in January
unveil another round of engineering and enforcement
measures for Queens Boulevard.
High-Speed Tolls Coming This Year
Despite the MTA's reluctance to institute non-stop
tolling on its bridges and tunnels, the region may
still become a national non-stop toll capital.
Job Search Sends Urban NJ Residents to the 'Burbs
New Jersey's war on sprawl came none too soon. The
Star-Ledger recently reporter that New Jersey suburban
areas now house the majority jobs of jobs in the state,
and even urban residents' jobs are moving away from
cities.
LIRR Capital Program = Higher Property Values
At public hearings for a new storage yard for the LIRR
Port Jefferson Branch late last year, local officials
and residents protested that the rail yard will lower
property values and increase pollution. Various
studies from across the country indicate that in fact
the opposite may be true.
MTA New Year's Gift to Boroughs: City Ticket
The MTA
started its pilot program for a "City
Ticket" this weekend, allowing LIRR and Metro-North
riders traveling within NYC limits to pay a base fare
of just $2.50 one way.
