WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th District. August 20, 2005: New Yorkers will have the chance vote on The Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act in November, a five-year capital proposal to upgrade the state’s public transportation, bridges and roads.
The bond act offers citizens a direct voice in how their tax dollars are spent. New York State now carries over $45 billion in debt, according to a February 2005 state comptroller’s report. Our debt per capita is two-and-a-half times the national average. With the bond act, we will borrow an additional $2.9 billion. It’s important that voters inform themselves about this issue before going to the polls
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Recent statistics from the American Society of Civil Engineers show that over one-third of New York’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition. It costs the average New York motorist $285 a year in extra vehicle repairs and operating expenses to drive on them. I support the proposition because it will create new jobs, upgrade the infrastructure so much of our economy relies on, and improve safety for our families. The New York State AFL-CIO, which represents over 2 million New Yorkers also recently announced its support of the Transportation Bond Act.
Approving the Transportation Bond Act would authorize $2.9 billion to improve transit
systems across the state including bus fleets, transit centers, commuter rails, bridges and airports. The
bond act would provide equal shares of the money to New York State’s Department of transportation
(DOT) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to support their five-year capital plans.
For Westchester County, approval of the bond act would mean $272.5 million for local
improvements including:
· $53.6 million for the replacement of the Route 9 bridge in the city of Peekskill;
· $91 million for the reconstruction of I-287 (Cross Westchester Expressway) from Bloomingdale Road in the city of White Plains to Route 120, town of Harrison;
· $58.6 million for the reconstruction of I-287 from Exit 7/Central Westchester Parkway to Exit 8/Bloomingdale Road, city of White Plains;
· $60.6 million for the completion of the last of a series of operation and safety improvements on I-287, which connects the Tappan Zee Bridge with I-95. This project will run from Greenburgh into the city of White Plains; and
· $8.7 million for the Bee Line system to support the purchase of 43 clean fuel hybrid-electric buses through 2009.
The MTA, whose subways, buses and railroads move 2.4 billion New Yorkers yearly, would also
receive funding, including $450 million to complete the 8.5 mile 2nd Avenue Subway line. The
project will provide a faster, more direct link between downtown and the far East Side, and help in
rebuilding lower Manhattan after Sept. 11. The Bond Act also allocates $100 million of the JFK Rail
Link from Kennedy Airport to Manhattan and $450 million for core infrastructure needs.
Annually, our state and local highways handle over 100 billion vehicle miles and more
than 31 million people use our public and private airports. To maintain these services statewide, the
Bond Act provides:
· $1.13 billion for state highway and bridge projects;
· $50 million for non-MTA lines;
· $50 million for canals;
· $76 million for aviation; and
· $135 million for rail and port improvements.
It’s clear that the proposition will have a lasting impact on the infrastructure of our state and local communities. Remember to make your voice heard by casting your vote on November 8.
Adam Bradley
Assemblyman, 89th District
