Latest news with #Gothamist
Time Out
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out
Every single NYC subway signal upgrade is behind schedule—by years
Modern subway signals were supposed to be the magic fix for New York's beleaguered transit system. But according to a new report from an independent engineering consultant obtained by Gothamist, that magic wand is running on serious delay—like, years-long delay. The MTA's big-budget signal modernization program, which aims to replace 1930s-era technology with sleek communications-based train control (CBTC), is now officially a cautionary tale in capital planning. Of the four current upgrades in progress, every single one is behind schedule. The F line in southern Brooklyn? Running three years late. The A/C/E upgrade beneath Eighth Avenue? Delayed until at least late 2027—more than two years off the mark. And eastern Queens riders hoping for smoother F train service? Don't hold your breath until at least March 2028. The G train's saga might be the most painful of all: After months of summer shutdowns, the line won't be fully upgraded until July 2029—two years later than promised. So what's the holdup? At a public MTA meeting this week, officials pointed fingers in every direction: obsolete 4G transponders, contractor mistakes, not enough engineers trained to handle either the new CBTC or the old legacy systems being replaced. 'It's like having a cell phone from the year 2000,' said Jamie Torres-Springer, the MTA's construction chief, of the outdated tech still in use. Even completed projects have run off track. A recently finished signal upgrade in Queens was delivered four years late. Two active projects are already millions over budget, and yet the MTA is gearing up to spend another $5.4 billion on signal upgrades as part of its 2025–2029 capital plan. Much of the push for signal modernization began in 2018 under former Transit President Andy Byford, aka 'Train Daddy,' who famously brought in signal guru Pete Tomlin to oversee the work. But after a reorganization in 2019 shuffled responsibilities—and both Byford and Tomlin out the door—execution has been rocky. As the MTA preps to relaunch its Capital Program Dashboard this fall to better track these investments, one thing is clear: If CBTC is the future of New York transit, it's arriving on a very slow train.
New York Post
15 hours ago
- General
- New York Post
This NYC neighborhood the most plagued by puppy poop in 2025: ‘Getting out of hand'
They're making a big stink in Washington Heights. With pooch poop lining its streets and sidewalks, the neighborhood is the No.1 ZIP code with the most gripes about canine number-two's in 2025, per new 311 complaint data. Repping ZIP code 10032 — but boasting zero dog-waste-bag dispensers — Washington Heights produced 160 of the more than 1,600 poop complaints filed since the dawn of the year, per the report, obtained by Gothamist. 4 Washington Heights is going to the dogs, according to a new report on the ZIP codes with the most puppy poop complaints. Rojo – It's a funked-up accolade formerly held by Hamilton Heights back in 2023. But when piles of steaming stool set the standard, no one really wins. 'Please pick up your dog's poop, it's getting out of hand,' barked a peeved pedestrian in a virtual plea. 'I can't get back to my apartment without feeling nauseous by the time I get up the stairs.' 'I can deal with every part of the city except for this part,' he added, 'because this part does not have to be a part of the city.' @couldfly_ Please pick up the dog poop. Living in New York. Heck living anywhere does not have to be like this ♬ original sound – Couldfly_ Equally nauseated New Yorkers agree. Across the boroughs, the fuss over feces has reportedly remained on a steady climb since the pandemic. City officials have received a staggering 1,622 dog-waste complaints in the first half of this year, alone, the data shows. Those grievances dwarf the 1,426 and 1,392 crappy carps made from January to June of 2024 and 2023, respectively. 4 The top 10 list revealed that residents of neighborhoods with an abundance of doggie poop bag dispensers made fewer complaints than folks living in dispenser-free communities. Francesco83 – Jessica S. Tisch, commissioner of the Department of Sanitation, recently wagged a scolding finger at dog owners who fail to clean up after their pups, vowing to hit offenders with a $250 fine. Unfortunately, however, the threat of hefty dues hasn't done much to resolve the doo issue. Residents and regular visitors of the upscale Upper East Side previously told The Post that the otherwise nice nabe had become 'full of s—t.' 4 Manhattanhites of means have complained that some of it's swankier neighborhoods are even riddled with poop. Spiroview Inc. – But thankfully the UES has since cleaned up its act. In fact, it didn't even make it into the top 10 ranking of this year's pooh-plagued places. Securing the second slot on the smelly list is Flatbush, Brooklyn, ZIP code 11226, where there are only two dog-doo baggie dispensers. There, citizens leveled 51 complaints about the hound heaps. Surprisingly, the good folks of Fordham Manor and Norwood in the Bronx, which share ZIP code 10467, issued 31 complaints despite housing an impressive 34 poop-pickup posts. 4 Authorities have urged pet owners to pickup after their pooches. Cavan – Brooklyn's East New York, ZIP code 11208, took last place on the rank roster, owing to the scant 24 doggy doo-doo calls its people made to the 311 hotline, so far. Here's a look at NYC's top 10 scat-scatters spots.
Time Out
2 days ago
- General
- Time Out
These NYC zip codes have the most dog poop complaints—and the fewest free bags
New Yorkers have a lot to say about the city's growing poop problem—and they're dialing 311 to prove it. According to newly released complaint data obtained by Gothamist, New York City saw 1,622 dog-waste-related calls in the first half of 2025, up from 1,426 during the same period last year. And while the city's half-century-old 'pooper scooper law' makes it illegal not to clean up after your dog (with fines up to $250), enforcement is rare. Only eight tickets have been issued in the past two years. But it turns out many of the city's most poop-plagued zip codes have something else in common: a serious lack of public dog-waste bag dispensers. In Washington Heights' 10032 zip code—this year's reigning champion of dog poop complaints—there isn't a single free dispenser. Yet 160 complaints were logged there, a whopping 740% increase from 2024. Even worse? More than 130 of them came from just two blocks on Riverside Drive. Locals like Jacqueline Zelaya say the mess is more than an eyesore—it's a health hazard. 'Sometimes you see that somebody's dog has a really big accident,' she told Gothamist. 'I joke with my kids and call it elephant poop.' Flatbush's 11226 zip code came in second, with 51 complaints and only two dispensers, while third-place 11691 in Far Rockaway reported 37 complaints and 12 dispensers. Citywide, 51 of NYC's 145 zip codes don't have any bag dispensers at all, despite the Parks Department having installed over 1,100 since 2017. Councilmember Julie Menin introduced legislation to require bag dispensers on every public trash can, but the bill has stalled amid inter-department squabbling over whether they should go on bins or bus-stop benches. Meanwhile, frustrated residents are taking matters into their own hands, literally. Zelaya and her neighbor Jose Gomez hang plastic bags from scaffolding to encourage scooping. 'If there were dispensers on the block,' Gomez said, 'there'd be no excuse.' Experts say shame still works best. 'Dog owners can be seen as this informal network, and informal networks kind of have a way of policing themselves,' said Caroline Scruggs, a professor who studies urban planning and public behavior. And while the law exists, the culture of compliance needs a nudge, maybe in the form of a lavender-scented poop bag.
Time Out
22-07-2025
- Health
- Time Out
Yes, there are way more mosquitoes than usual in NYC this summer—here's why
If it feels like NYC has become the unofficial mosquito capital of the Northeast, you're not wrong. New York just ranked third on Orkin's list of 2025's worst mosquito cities —beaten only by Los Angeles and Chicago—and that relentless buzzing in your ear isn't just in your head. Not surprisingly, this bloodsucking boom has been fueled by rain. The city has logged nearly four extra inches of rainfall since April compared to this time last year, turning gutters, flowerpots and every poorly drained corner of the five boroughs into prime mosquito nurseries. According to entomologists, it only takes a bottlecap's worth of water for mosquitoes to lay up to 200 eggs—and those eggs hatch fast. 'The fact that we've seen a lot of mosquitoes now is not really a surprise to me considering how much rain we've had,' Columbia University environmental health professor Jeffrey Shaman told Gothamist. 'They can bite you in your yard, they can bite you in the parks.' This year's surge is being called one of the most intense seasons in recent memory, thanks to warm, wet conditions and a climate that's increasingly leaning subtropical. Mosquito Joe, a national pest-control company, warned that conditions across NYC are 'ramping up' to be particularly severe. The good news is that while bites are definitely up, West Nile cases are way down. New York has seen a 91-percent drop in positive mosquito pools compared to last year, according to the Department of Health. Still, public health experts warn against getting too comfortable. Mosquitoes can spread West Nile, Zika and even malaria—yes, malaria has recently popped up in states like Maryland and Florida. If you want to fight back, experts recommend the 'BITE' method: Block skin with long sleeves and EPA-approved repellents; install screens on doors and windows, trim grass and shrubs and eliminate standing water wherever it hides. You can also plant mosquito-repelling herbs like rosemary, mint and lavender—or just embrace the aesthetic of a citronella candle fortress.
Time Out
18-07-2025
- Time Out
In shocking news, New Yorkers walk and bike way more than almost all Americans, says new study
Turns out 'I'm walkin' here!' isn't just a punchline, it's a lifestyle. According to a new report from analytics firm StreetLight, New Yorkers—at least in four out of five boroughs—are walking and biking at rates the rest of the country can only dream of. Manhattan leads the nation in 'active transportation,' with a whopping 59-percent of trips made on foot or by bike. Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx also rank in the top 10 U.S. counties for non-car travel. The odd borough out is Staten Island, where a staggering 87-percent of trips still happen by car, placing it closer to the national norm. Across most of the U.S., active transportation remains the exception: In more than two-thirds of the counties analyzed, fewer than 1 in 10 trips involve walking or biking. Density—and a transit system that, for all its faults, actually works—is what sets New York apart. 'New York is a city in the United States that's done the most to support safe walking and cycling,' Michael Replogle, former NYC DOT deputy commissioner, told Gothamist. Add in policies like congestion pricing and reliable mass transit, and it's no wonder New Yorkers are pounding the pavement in record numbers. The study excluded low-density areas and focused on trips over 300 meters, offering a more apples-to-apples comparison among urban centers. And it wasn't just NYC making the leaderboard: Hudson County, New Jersey (home to Jersey City and Hoboken), ranked fifth, just ahead of Boston and Philly. With its tight street grid, PATH access and sky-high density, Hudson is a walker's paradise, too. Meanwhile, sprawling cities like Los Angeles and Chicago didn't even crack the top ranks. The takeaway? If you build a city for cars, people will drive. If you build it for humans, they'll walk. Walking and biking are part of a broader push toward rethinking urban mobility. Experts say high density, good transit and safe infrastructure are what make foot-powered travel possible and popular. In the end, New Yorkers walk more—duh. But it's not because we're better people (OK, maybe a little), but because the city actually makes it doable. And that, says StreetLight, might just be the future of urban life.
