Latest news with #StateDOT
Epoch Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
New York Asks Judge to Bar Transportation Department From Ending Congestion Pricing Program
New York City and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) urged a judge late on Monday to block the Trump administration from pulling the plug on Manhattan's congestion pricing program. Lawyers for the city's transportation department and the MTA sought a preliminary injunction blocking Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's attempt to kill the program and his threat to suspend federal government funding for projects throughout New York City, while the state's lawsuit against the administration plays out. In its The Duffy also said that the Department of Transportation (DOT) may consider imposing additional measures, such as suspending funding for projects throughout New York City, including blocking obligations of both formula and competitive funds. In its filing with the court, lawyers for the city and the MTA said they are likely to succeed on the merits of their case and will suffer 'irreparable harm' if the relief is not granted. They also said public interest and equities favor granting relief. Related Stories 2/19/2025 5/5/2025 'State DOT is likely to be successful on the merits because a federal agency may not withhold funds that Congress has appropriated and the retaliatory moratorium that Secretary Duffy has threatened will do just that,' they wrote. Lawyers further argued that DOT lacked authority to withhold the funds based on the purported 'US DOT's threatened retaliation will delay essential transportation projects in New York, causing irreparable harm to State DOT and the people of New York, including increased congestion and risk of traffic accidents; non-compensable economic losses, and significant administrative burdens,' attorneys wrote. Toll Fees Explained New York's first-in-the-nation congestion pricing program went into effect on Jan. 5 and charges $9 to drivers of passenger and small commercial vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends, that fare goes down to $2.25. For motorcycles, that toll is $4.50 during the peak period and $1.05 during the overnight period. The fees are in addition to the tolls drivers already pay to cross bridges and tunnels into Manhattan, though the congestion program does offer some discounts to low-income drivers. New York City says the program will help dramatically cut down congestion, with around 5.8 million fewer cars than expected in the congestion zone between January and March, or an 8 percent to 13 percent reduction. City officials also The program immediately drew opposition from the Trump administration amid concerns that it would unfairly impact working-class Americans and small businesses, and in February, DOT That deadline was Duffy has In its filings with the court, the MTA and the city 'Stopping the program would also mean a return to the crippling congestion that has long plagued Manhattan,' they The Epoch Times contacted the Transportation Department for comment and did not receive a response by publication time.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
History shows school district asked for State DOT's help with Route 11 years before student was seriously hurt
HASTINGS, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Years before a 12-year-old student was hit by a car on Route 11, history shows repeated requests for the State Department of Transportation to enhance safety outside Central Square Middle School. Letters obtained by NewsChannel 9, dating back 25 years, show written requests for the DOT to install a traffic signal at Route 11's intersection with the middle school's driveway. The letters indicate that the school district made the request at least four times: in 2000, 2004, 2013, and 2016. Each time, responding representatives for the State DOT indicate the agency conducted studies at the intersection and rejected a traffic signal or light outside the middle school. In an August 1, 2016 letter to State Senator Pattie Ritchie, the Oswego-area state senator at the time, DOT Commissioner Matthew Driscoll wrote: 'The study was very comprehensive and included an analysis of a six-year accident history, a three-day traffic count during school peak periods, and evaluation of the on-site conditions. The traffic volumes were below the minimum needed to warrant a signal, and the accident history did not support making any changes to the intersection.' The initial request from Senator Richie said, 'Parents, village officials in Central Square and members of the community all agree that the addition of a traffic light would greatly contribute to improved safety at the school. This traffic light would help ease the spike in traffic during times when parents are dropping off and picking kids up, as well as ease the difficulty for school buses.' 'NYSDOT staff will continue to monitor the intersection for a change in conditions that would warrant a restudy,' Driscoll concluded his letter. On Wednesday, Central Square School Superintendent Tom Colabufo told NewsChannel 9 he's renewing the district's efforts to get the DOT to improve safety in front of the middle school. Colabufo said he's been in touch with Hastings Town Supervisor Tony Bush and State Senator Chris Ryan. Colabufo said installation of a traffic light, as has been requested for years before his administration, would come with a crosswalk to benefit the safety of students crossing the street. Senator Chris Ryan's office confirms it heard from Colabufo on Wednesday and commits to renewing the conversation with the State DOT's engineers. Through a spokesperson, Senator Ryan said, 'It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience.' Another letter obtained by NewsChannel 9 shows the Town of Hastings discontinued employment of a crossing guard used by the district in 2007. '…the Town of Hastings will no longer provide this service and your employment is terminated as of this date,' wrote then-Supervisor James Weatherup to the crossing guard. In 2004, lawyers for the Central Square School District said state law requires crossing guards to be employed by the municipal government, not the school district. In a statement to NewsChannel 9 on Tuesday, when asked about the safety concerns on Route 11, a State DOT spokesperson said: 'Safety is always the priority of the New York State Department of Transportation. As the recent pedestrian-involved crash is the subject of a law enforcement investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.' 'My office has heard from the Central Square School District Superintendent Tom Colabufo regarding previous conversations with the Department of Transportation about installing a traffic light and crosswalk in front of Central Square Middle School—conversations that predate my time in office. It is deeply concerning to learn that numerous attempts and requests to initiate a light or crosswalk did not come to fruition. The recent accident involving a Central Square student is a tragic reminder that we must prioritize the safety of our children over traffic convenience. I am fully committed to reigniting this conversation with the DOT and will advocate for the necessary safety measures to be implemented as soon as possible. The safety of our students, families and community members must come first. I look forward to working with the District, local leaders and state officials to ensure that no family has to endure this kind of heartbreak again.' New York State Senator Chris Ryan (D), Geddes – 50th District Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DOT begins changing I-81 exit signs
KIRKWOOD, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The first of many exit signs along I-81 north and southbound have been updated to fit the highway's new mileage-based numbering system. State DOT workers started the project today around exit one in Kirkwood and will update the existing exit signs with new panels that correspond to mile markers along the highway. The new exit numbers are based on the distance in miles from the Pennsylvania border to the Canadian border. For example, the exit sign for Kirkwood-Conklin now says exit 4, and below it, is a smaller sign that says, 'old exit one.' Several other exits in Broome County will soon be changed. Including Exit 4A, which will turn into exit 12, or exit 6 which will become exit 16. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
