Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined by House Transportation and Infrastructure’s Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee Chair Tom Petri, Transportation and Infrastructure ranking Democrat James Oberstar, members of the New York Congressional Delegation, Council Speaker Gifford Miller, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall and Metropolitan Transportation Chairman Peter Kalikow today called for New York City’s fair share in the reauthorization of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Act (ISTEA).  The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) would replace ISTEA and would provide New York State with $13.5 billion over the next six year, $4.9 billion more than the previous transportation bill.

“We have tremendous transportation infrastructure needs in New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Our roads, subways, bridges and ferries are the arteries that keep the people of New York moving.  Our vast transportation network has been an integral part of our City’s success. 

“Yet some members of Congress have suggested that New York benefits too much from Federal transportation spending because we get back more transportation funding than we pay in Federal gas taxes.  Some propose in alternative legislation that all States receive a minimum of 95 cents for every dollar they pay to the Federal Government in gas taxes. This would cost New York State more than $300 million a year.

“If a 95% minimum guarantee is good for transportation funding, it is even better for all Federal spending.  I am going to ask the New York State Congressional Delegation to support legislation that will guarantee that New York State receives back no less than 95% of every dollar we send to Washington.  This would bring back an additional $15.2 billion per year to New York State.  Today we only receive 84 cents back for every dollar we send to Washington.  If this increased to 95 cents, our total federal funding in 2001 would have increased from $116.4 billion to $131.6 billion.”
 
“We have to face the facts - our highways, bridges and transit systems are aging and getting worse every day,” said U.S. Representative Petri. “In addition, our economy needs help - a lot of help - and this important legislation will do just that. America's congestion and safety crisis will not just go away - it must be dealt with immediately. Our proposal will play a major role in moving our aging transportation system into the 21st century.”

“The Texas Transportation Institute estimates that, in 2000 alone, traffic congestion cost motorists a staggering $67.5 billion in wasted time in just our nation's 75 largest urban areas. This congestion costs each motorist more than $1,100 each year,” said Representative James Oberstar. “More importantly, families are losing what precious little time they have together because they are stuck in traffic on their way home from work, picking the kids up at day care, or running the endless errands that seem a part of today's society.  Significantly increasing investment in highways and transit will provide the resources necessary to improve our transportation systems and begin to loosen the grip that congestion has on our economy and on American families today.”

“Federal money has been crucial for us at the Department of Transportation,” said Commissioner Weinshall. “We previously have used the money to restore our majestic East River and Harlem River bridges. We have a number of projects for that will TEA 21 funding, including, but not limited to - the reconstruction of the Grand Concourse, expansion of bicycle lanes, including the Manhattan Greenway and the purchase of new technology such as computerized sensors for our traffic lights which will help improve traffic flow.

ISTEA has been instrumental in the maintenance, improvement and rehabilitation of New York’s transportation system.  ISTEA provided over $1 billion for the restoration of the East River bridges, $132 million for the rehabilitation of the Staten Island Ferry terminals and for the purchase of new ferryboats.  New York City’s DOT traffic management center was funded with ISTEA funds as well as pedestrian improvements in Downtown Flushing.  ISTEA provides money for quality of life and safety improvements on Queens Boulevard and is the foundation for the implementation of the New York City Bicycle Master Plan.

TEA 21 will allow New York City to continue it rehabilitation program of the Harlem River Bridges including the Third Avenue, Willis Avenue and 145th Street bridges.  The expansion of ferry service, East Side access for the Long Island Railway and the construction of the 2nd Avenue subway will all be funded from TEA 21.  Increasing the number of traffic cameras and improving traffic control systems, the cross-harbor freight tunnel and school safety initiatives will all be funded by TEA 21.