This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/feb/04/new-york-streetcar-brooklyn-queens-bill-de-blasio-subway-mta

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Plans for a streetcar between Brooklyn and Queens could hit a roadblock Plans for a streetcar between Brooklyn and Queens could hit a roadblock
(35 minutes later)
Transport experts have questioned New York City’s ambitious plan for a 16-mile streetcar running along the Brooklyn waterfront to Queens, the largest urban planning project yet pushed by Mayor Bill de Blasio.Transport experts have questioned New York City’s ambitious plan for a 16-mile streetcar running along the Brooklyn waterfront to Queens, the largest urban planning project yet pushed by Mayor Bill de Blasio.
De Blasio will unveil the $2.5bn proposal during Thursday night’s State of the City address, according to a report in the New York Times. De Blasio will unveil the $2.5bn proposal during Thursday night’s State of the City address.
“This is about equity and innovation. We are mapping brand new transit that will knit neighborhoods together and open up real opportunities for our people,” de Blasio said in a statement.
Running alongside traffic in rails embedded into normal roads, the Brooklyn Queens Connector would travel from Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Astoria, Queens, snaking through growing neighborhoods such as Dumbo, Williamsburg and Long Island City.Running alongside traffic in rails embedded into normal roads, the Brooklyn Queens Connector would travel from Sunset Park in Brooklyn to Astoria, Queens, snaking through growing neighborhoods such as Dumbo, Williamsburg and Long Island City.
A group calling itself Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector – made up of transportation experts, urban planners, and developers with real estate interests in the area – have developed the plan.A group calling itself Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector – made up of transportation experts, urban planners, and developers with real estate interests in the area – have developed the plan.
But others question if it’s the best bang for the city’s buck.But others question if it’s the best bang for the city’s buck.
“The glitzy and the flashy are inspirational, but often times they are not practical,” said Veronica Vanterpool, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a nonprofit that pushes for non-car transport options.“The glitzy and the flashy are inspirational, but often times they are not practical,” said Veronica Vanterpool, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a nonprofit that pushes for non-car transport options.
“We live in a city where we need to be judicious and prudent about what we move forward because there’s so many transport needs,” she said.“We live in a city where we need to be judicious and prudent about what we move forward because there’s so many transport needs,” she said.
Vanterpool pointed to the Second Avenue subway line, a project decades behind its original timeline that still has not had its second phase completely funded. She noted that the Port Authority bus station receives 300,000 passengers daily but has not been majorly renovated since the 1950s.Vanterpool pointed to the Second Avenue subway line, a project decades behind its original timeline that still has not had its second phase completely funded. She noted that the Port Authority bus station receives 300,000 passengers daily but has not been majorly renovated since the 1950s.
Less-sexy transport options, such as dedicated bus lanes and bike lanes, always get hit by a flurry of opposition despite them being easier and cheaper, Vanterpool said.Less-sexy transport options, such as dedicated bus lanes and bike lanes, always get hit by a flurry of opposition despite them being easier and cheaper, Vanterpool said.
“Why is it that everyone rallies quickly around light rail or streetcars, that require extra road space, but are less apt to rally around a less expensive system such as a bus rapid transit system?” she asked.“Why is it that everyone rallies quickly around light rail or streetcars, that require extra road space, but are less apt to rally around a less expensive system such as a bus rapid transit system?” she asked.
“Being bold and innovative is great, but we have to think about that in this larger context of need.”“Being bold and innovative is great, but we have to think about that in this larger context of need.”
One benefit for De Blasio is that a streetcar plan would be completely separate from the current subway system, which would mean he would not have to involve political foe Governor Andrew Cuomo. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway, is run by both the city and the state, with the state contributing most of the funding.One benefit for De Blasio is that a streetcar plan would be completely separate from the current subway system, which would mean he would not have to involve political foe Governor Andrew Cuomo. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway, is run by both the city and the state, with the state contributing most of the funding.
“It avoids the situation of needing Cuomo’s blessing or needing someone to negotiate this rather shaky relationship,” noted Benjamin Kabak, editor of Second Ave Sagas, a blog about NYC’s public transportation.“It avoids the situation of needing Cuomo’s blessing or needing someone to negotiate this rather shaky relationship,” noted Benjamin Kabak, editor of Second Ave Sagas, a blog about NYC’s public transportation.
The relationship between the two Democratic politicians – who have engaged in bitter public power struggles over the city’s schools, subways and homeless population – has become more strained recently as they have fought over MTA subway funding.The relationship between the two Democratic politicians – who have engaged in bitter public power struggles over the city’s schools, subways and homeless population – has become more strained recently as they have fought over MTA subway funding.
A major drawback for Kabak is that the new streetcar plan means the system would share the road with other traffic.
“If they’re not going to give it a dedicated right of way, there’s no point spending this much money on it,” he said.
Light rail has proved successful in many cities internationally throughout Europe, and even in cities across New Jersey. The idea of streetcar lines connecting throughout other parts of Queens, Brooklyn and to the airports is one that interests Kabak, however he says this plan doesn’t refer to any further streetcars.Light rail has proved successful in many cities internationally throughout Europe, and even in cities across New Jersey. The idea of streetcar lines connecting throughout other parts of Queens, Brooklyn and to the airports is one that interests Kabak, however he says this plan doesn’t refer to any further streetcars.
“It’s not clear to me that this proposal really contemplates a future beyond this one streetcar line, and if it doesn’t, it makes it sort of a gimmick,” he said.“It’s not clear to me that this proposal really contemplates a future beyond this one streetcar line, and if it doesn’t, it makes it sort of a gimmick,” he said.