Special Reports
Streetsblog Basics
CB 6 Committee Votes for PARK Smart Zone, Brooklyn Greenway Extension
Last night, the transportation committee of Brooklyn Community Board 6 voted unanimously in favor of a new PARK Smart zone for Atlantic Avenue, Smith Street, and Court Street, and for a Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway segment connecting Van Brunt Street to Valentino Pier in Red Hook.
February 22, 2013
State Budget Includes $625 Million Road Bailout for 2013
For years, Albany has raided the state's highway trust fund, using general tax revenue to patch holes. This year, the governor's budget, as filed in the Senate and Assembly, includes a mammoth $625 million road bailout, larger than the $519 million projected in the financial plan and higher than most trust fund bailouts in previous years.
February 11, 2013
Iris Weinshall on Marty Markowitz: “He’s a Creep… Always Has Been”
So today we've been reviewing all the cynical ploys that former DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall, former First Deputy Mayor Norman Steisel, and former Brooklyn College dean Louise Hainline used in their attempt to reverse the public planning process that produced the Prospect Park West bike lane. The lawsuit that's back in the news today is the centerpiece of their sweeping body of work, and right now, the centerpiece of the lawsuit is an affidavit that Borough President Marty Markowitz submitted at the 11th hour in the summer of 2011.
December 20, 2012
The NBBL Files: PPW Foes Pursued Connections to Reverse Public Process
Editor’s note: With yesterday’s appellate ruling prolonging the Prospect Park West case, Streetsblog is running a refresher on the how the well-connected gang of bike lane opponents waged their assault against a popular and effective street safety project. This is the fifth installment from the six-part NBBL Files.
December 20, 2012
The NBBL Files: Norman Steisel’s Ideas Became Jimmy Vacca’s Bills
Editor’s note: With yesterday’s appellate ruling prolonging the Prospect Park West case, Streetsblog is running a refresher on the how the well-connected gang of bike lane opponents waged their assault against a popular and effective street safety project. This is the fourth installment from the six-part NBBL Files.
December 20, 2012
The NBBL Files: Chuck Schumer “Doesn’t Like the Bike Lane”
Editor’s note: With yesterday’s appellate ruling prolonging the Prospect Park West case, Streetsblog is running a refresher on the how the well-connected gang of bike lane opponents waged their assault against a popular and effective street safety project. This is the third installment from the six-part NBBL Files.
December 20, 2012
Coalition Calls for Comprehensive Transpo Plan for Northwest Brooklyn
Choked by traffic, Downtown Brooklyn and its surrounding neighborhoods need a comprehensive agenda for transportation -- and the current ad hoc approach from the city and state isn't cutting it in the fast-growing area, says a coalition of community groups, elected officials, and advocates.
December 18, 2012
Eight Burning Questions About Post-Election Transpo Policy and Politics
If I’ve learned one thing from all the meetings about transportation I’ve covered, it’s this: There is no progress without a solution on funding.
December 3, 2012
How States Are Adapting to MAP-21’s Changes to Bike/Ped Funding
The current transportation law dealt a few hard knocks to bicycling and walking programs. One big one was the restructuring of the Transportation Enhancements program into something called Transportation Alternatives, which has to fund more types of projects with less money.
November 28, 2012
Moving People or Moving Vehicles: How Should We Grade America’s Streets?
Darren Flusche is the policy director of the League of American Bicyclists.
November 27, 2012