Transportation

For Three Saturdays in August, Route from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park Will Open

June 16, 2008 -- New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan today announced Summer Streets, a new City program that will temporarily open a 6.9 mile car-free route from the Brooklyn Bridge to 72nd Street.    » read more »

June 14, 2008 -- With ridership numbers growing, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today applauded “smart Connecticut commuters” who are increasingly using the state-owned bus system, CTTRANSIT.

“Part of the growth on the system is doubtless due to increased fuel prices,” Governor Rell said. “And we also think some portion of this growth is due to service initiatives that have been undertaken in the past two years.”    » read more »

Job Action Affects About 1,250 Workers at 24 Terminals Across the Country

June 9, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamster carhaul members employed at Performance Transportation Services Inc. went on strike against the company at 9 a.m. EDT today to enforce the union’s bargaining table demands.

The nationwide strike affects 24 terminals and about 1,250 Teamster employees at the PTS’ companies: Leaseway Motorcar Transport Company, E. and L. Transport Company, Hadley Auto Transport and Transportation Releasing.

“We are on strike to enforce our bargaining table demands,” said Fred Zuckerman, Director of the Teamsters Carhaul Division.

PTS employees haul vehicles for Ford, General Motors, Toyota and other manufacturers.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after Congress sent to the President H.R. 1195, bipartisan legislation to help promote 40,000 American jobs in transportation and construction:

““The bipartisan transportation legislation Congress sent the President today will help create and support 40,000 good paying American jobs. This represents our down payment on a new commitment to renewing America’s infrastructure, which will continue with the reauthorization of the highway bill next year.    » read more »

The Governor’s Commuter Challenge will show the state leading by example in the fight against global warming – and save employees money on gas

June 2, 2008 - (Salem) – Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today challenged the 8,500 state employees who work in the Capitol Mall area to reduce the state’s carbon footprint by 500,000 pounds of carbon this summer by carpooling, biking, walking, or using mass transit.    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- San Francisco – On Sunday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivered the keynote address at the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) rail conference in San Francisco. Below are her remarks as prepared:

“Thank you, Nat [Ford]. Nat does an excellent job leading the SFMTA in managing San Francisco’s ground transportation system, which includes our transit system, Muni, one of the oldest and greenest transit systems in the United States. Under his tenure, San Francisco has opened a new light rail line and established the largest municipal bio-diesel fleet in the nation, with bio-diesel fuel now utilized in all Muni’s diesel fleet vehicles.    » read more »

May 30, 2008 -- "I met today with Congressman John Mica of Florida, the Ranking Republican on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who briefed me on his plan to encourage proposals to bring high-speed rail service to New York. Congressman Mica's plan makes a great deal of sense and I strongly support it.

High speed rail service could cut the travel time between New York and Washington to only two hours. This would encourage more people to take the train, which simultaneously would relieve congestion at New York City airports and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.    » read more »

05/29/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement today following action taken by the California Transportation Commission allocating $382 million in transportation funding from Proposition 1B.

"When the people of California voted for the $19.9 billion transportation bond they wanted action - and this is that action," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "We are getting the money out the door and that ultimately strengthens California's economy and improves the quality of life in our state."

The Proposition 1B projects that received funding allocations today are:

* Los Angeles - $39 million was allocated to the city of Los Angeles to repair Interstate 710 from the Imperial Highway to Firestone Boulevard.    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today ceremonially signed LD 2019, “An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force on Passenger Rail Funding.” The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Boyd Marley (D-Portland), was at the ceremony, as were cosponsors and supporters of the legislation.

Train tracks, Maine: Photo by Sue (CC)

“Long before near-$4 a gallon gas prices, I joined with rail advocates to support extending our rail system for both passenger and freight in Maine,” Governor Baldacci said. “Rail is an increasingly viable option – in economic and environmental terms.”    » read more »

Risks, Costs Far Outweigh Claimed Productivity Gains; Statement of Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen

May 14, 2008 -- This statement was given at a news conference.

Thank you for joining us this morning. Today, we are here to make the case against allowing bigger, heavier and longer trucks onto our highways.

Truck crash: Photo by Daniel Gasienica (CC)

I’m joined by several people who have lost loved ones in crashes involving large trucks and a state trooper who was injured in a serious truck crash while protecting the public. They will share their stories with you.    » read more »

Majority Opposes Changing Laws to Allow Bigger Rigs; Safety Advocates Warn of More Deaths, Damage to Roads and Bridges

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new national survey shows that Americans overwhelming oppose efforts by the trucking and shipping industries to relax safety standards and allow longer and heavier trucks on the nation’s highways, a coalition of safety groups announced Wednesday.    » read more »

Hoffa Says Congress Shouldn’t Consider ‘Crazy’ Plan

May 14, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Wednesday urged Congress to ignore trucking industry lobbyists who want to let dangerous large trucks on our highways.

Container trucks on a US highway: Photo by futureatlas.com (CC)

A trucking industry group called “Americans for Safe and Efficient Transportation” is lobbying Congress this week for a pilot program to let bigger trucks on the road in five, possibly six states.

The states are Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Georgia and possibly Texas.    » read more »

State Department of Transportation to Develop New Regulations and Enforcement Policy; Plan Would Improve Quality of Life in Affected Areas

May 12, 2008 -- In response to the dangers posed by scores of trucks hauling non-local solid waste across local rural roads in the Finger Lakes and Central New York, Governor David A. Paterson and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will institute a new policy intended to keep large trucks, with the exception of local pick-up and delivery vehicles, on the National Interstate Highway System.    » read more »

Calls for June 23rd special session to address transportation

May 12, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today released details of his transportation plan and called for a special session of the General Assembly to address transportation on June 23.

Virginia traffic: Photo by Steve Fernie (CC)

The Governor’s plan fills our growing road and bridge maintenance deficit to promote safety, provides relief for regional transportation needs, and invests in innovative approaches to Virginia’s transportation challenges. The plan raises over $1 billion annually by fiscal year 2012 and contains no gas tax increase.    » read more »

On Eve of Amtrak's Nationwide Celebration, Resolution Highlights Passenger Rail's Critical and Growing Role in Serving America's Travel Needs

May 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bipartisan resolution to celebrate Amtrak’s first annual National Train Day.

Amtrak trains in Chicago: Photo by Steven Vance (CC)

The resolution, joined by 20 co-sponsors, raises awareness about the critical and growing role that passenger rail plays in serving America’s daily travel needs.    » read more »