Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Jennifer Chait (212)788-8479
The Mayor was appreciative to learn of Governor Pataki's announcement that the New York State Department of Transportation has withdrawn its plans for adding High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to the Long Island Expressway in Queens. When this proposal was originally presented two years ago, the City of New York joined with Borough President Claire Shulman, Senator Frank Padavan, Assemblyman Mark Weprin, and Former Assemblyman Douglas Prescott in a legal challenge because of the plan's negative impact on the residential neighborhoods along the LIE in Eastern Queens. In addition, the plan would have worsened traffic congestion at the Cross Island Parkway interchange and threatened environmentally sensitive areas in Alley Pond Park.
The Mayor would like to thank the City's Corporation Counsel, along with the New York City Department of Transportation, and Department of Parks and Recreation, for their vital roles in achieving this successful resolution. The Mayor looks forward to working with the Governor, local elected officials, and community organizations in developing a new plan that will address both the transportation issues and the community's quality of life concerns.