Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro and Commissioner Sadik-Khan detail comprehensive transit and road improvement plan
More than $400 million in projects for Staten Island
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan today announced updates on more than $400 million in DOT capital projects in the pipeline for Staten Island, in what amounts to the most comprehensive road and transit improvement plan on Staten Island in nearly half a century.
The $400 million includes federal stimulus funding for the St. George Ferry ramp renovation project, which is the largest single federal stimulus project in New York State.
“I would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg, Commissioner Sadik-Khan, Borough Commissioner Tom Cocola, Department of Design & Construction Commissioner David Burney, and our Island’s elected officials for working with me on these much-needed transportation projects that will, when completed, greatly improve the quality of life for Staten Islanders,” Molinaro said. “When Mayor Bloomberg announced the Staten Island Transportation Task Force in 2006, he said he would ‘go out there and stand up and say it’s time to do these things!’ and I am proud to stand with the Mayor as these projects do indeed move forward.”
“Working through Mayor Bloomberg’s Transportation Task Force and with the support of leaders like Borough President Molinaro, we’ve made the kinds of critical improvements and targeted transportation fixes that Staten Islanders have been looking for,” said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. “With safety improvements at Island schools and senior areas, with increased ferry ridership and with improved mobility and access to transit for everyone who uses our streets, we will continue to work every day to make the streets of Staten Island better for everyone, from Tottenville to Tompkinsville.”
MASS TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS
Within the past year, ridership on the Staten Island Ferry surged by 500,000 passengers, and the Staten Island Railway was recorded at more than 4.38 million passengers in 2008. The significant growth in ridership reflects the more than $500 million the City has invested on new and renovated terminals and three new ferry boats. The new South Ferry subway station cost another $500 million, bringing a total of
$1 billion in new investment for Staten Island commuters. DOT teamed with SIR, Councilman Ignizio and the Borough President to build two new Park and Rides in Great Kills and Prince’s Bay within the past several years, and DOT is working with SIR as they prepare a more than 200-vehicle Park and Ride along Arthur Kill Road. New York State DOT also is updating Park and Ride facilities at Huguenot and the Eltingville Transit Center to accommodate more than 250 vehicles. DOT is working with the State to establish a contra-flow lane on the Gowanus for the evening rush hour, which will help improve express bus travel time for Staten Islanders.
FERRY TERMINAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Although Staten Islanders witnessed the opening of two new Ferry Terminals within with past several years, DOT’s commitment to improving Ferry commuter’s satisfaction is unwavering. Within the next year, Staten Island residents will see new stores at both terminals. The St. George side also will be home to the largest Federal stimulus project in the State of New York – as $175 million in stimulus funding is dedicated to the complete renovation of ramps leading to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Design is underway and work will begin next year.
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS
Victory Boulevard and Clove Road- The Borough President’s Office was successful in asking the developers of the properties at two corners of this intersection to adopt the full mapped width of the road. On the South side, a new right-turn lane is already taking shape. On the North side, Borough President Molinaro and DOT have received an agreement from the developer to adopt the full mapped width. DOT and DDC have initiated a capital project to widen this intersection. Widening will allow for the reduction of traffic congestion and the enhancement of pedestrian and vehicular safety. Signal-timing changes and coordination, street re-design and pavement markings, streetscape improvements, bus prioritization treatments, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, and changes to curbside parking regulations will be included in the improvement plans. Following the recent streetscape improvement initiatives set forth by DOT, the Borough President’s Office has envisioned a pedestrian and motorist-friendly streetscape with decorative paving, trees, and other plantings, utilizing the full mapped width of Victory Boulevard. A CPI (Capital Project Initiation) has been issued, and mapping and surveying of the area is underway. $3 million has been allocated for this project.
South Avenue and Forest Avenue- A major congestion point and conduit for truck traffic, this intersection is slated for improvements to vehicular and pedestrian traffic circulation. The work will include sidewalk improvements related to the bus stop approximately 1,400 feet south of the intersection. A left-turn lane will be created on South Avenue to Forest Avenue eastbound. A CPI has been issued and mapping and surveying of the area is in progress. $500,000 is allocated for this project.
Page Avenue and Amboy Road- Page Avenue is currently not built to its full mapped width, therefore it lacks the space for turning lanes, which results in traffic congestion from Amboy Road along the shopping corridor, and back toward the West Shore Expressway. The Borough President’s Office insisted upon a Builder’s Pavement Plan for this area, which would allow the street to be built out to its full mapped width. Borough President Molinaro is asking the developer to create a dedicated right-turn lane to provide more immediate relief to traffic congestion while we wait for a combined DOT/DDC capital road and sewer project in 2014. The City is currently investigating roadway conditions and potential improvements.
Manor Road and Victory Boulevard- The project will improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic at this congested intersection. Portions of the intersection will be widened in order to create new turning lanes from Manor Road onto Victory Boulevard. Manor Road is 50 feet wide at this intersection, and Victory is 65 feet, while they are mapped to 70 feet and 100 feet, respectively. A CPI is in the planning stages, and mapping and surveying work will soon be underway.
Huguenot Avenue and Amboy Road- With funding from Councilman Ignizio ($500,000) and Assemblyman Tobacco ($14,000), and working with Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, DOT is exploring the possibility of widening this intersection. Additionally, dedicated left, straight, and turning lanes could be added to Amboy Road southbound.
Bradley Avenue and Willowbrook Road/Holden Boulevard- The Borough President’s Office and DDC conducted a site visit last week. This intersection is seriously misaligned, and Bradley Avenue is narrow at this intersection, only one lane in each direction. As vehicles attempt a left-hand turn, traffic backs up down Bradley. A bus stop adds to the congestion. Bradley Avenue is final mapped at 80 feet, while Holden and Willowbrook are final mapped at 70 feet each. However, all three are only 30 feet wide each. The improvement project will entail a possible widening along Bradley Avenue to permit the safe, efficient passage of traffic. DOT and DDC will be further investigating this location to identify potential improvements
OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS
Arthur Kill Road- An Environmental Impact Statement for the reconstruction and widening of Arthur Kill Road from Clark Avenue in Richmondtown to Bentley Street in Tottenville is expected later this month. DOT is hoping to widen the road to two lanes in each direction in most spots. More than $20 million will be used to repair and enhance Arthur Kill Road for this project. An EIS is expected to begin later this month.
Todt Hill Road at Circle Road- The project will consist of the addition of a left-turn lane from Todt Hill Road onto Circle Road. Design has been approved by DOT, and an EAS (Environmental Assessment Statement) is underway. $550,000 has been allocated for this project.
Amboy Road and Arden Avenue- An extension of existing curbs and intersection re-alignment is planned for this intersection, with $750,000 allocated to the project. The improvements will allow for improved traffic flow and pedestrian safety. An Environmental Assessment Study is under preparation for this intersection.
Amboy Road and Annadale Road- This intersection is misaligned and narrow, resulting in traffic back-ups and congestion. An Environmental Assessment Study was returned last Spring, and a public hearing will soon be held concerning the improvements planned for this intersection. $4 million has been allocated to reconstruct the intersection.
Forest Hill Road Corridor and Rockland Avenue Corridor- An Environmental Assessment Statements is expected in Spring of 2010 for Forest Hill Road, followed by Rockland Avenue, to begin the process of road improvement and widening, improving traffic flow for motorists and emergency vehicles.
Bloomingdale Park Perimeter Sidewalks- To improve public safety and access to park. A CPI scope is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 with design plans in place by March of 2010. Sidewalks should be completed by March of 2011.
In addition to the capital projects, the Department of Transportation remains committed to improving safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as providing better mass transit links and options.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE INITIATIVES
The Transportation Task Force has made a great positive difference over the past several years.
* The Safe Streets for Seniors plan in the Hylan Boulevard and New Dorp area has provided safer traffic islands and crossings for our elderly population, and has also benefitted nearby schools like New Dorp High School and I.S. 2.
* Short-term improvements to the Safe Routes to School program have been completed at eight schools and capital designs are underway at six of these schools.
o Safety studies will begin soon at the next eight schools on Staten Island.
* The Congested Corridors program has added turning bays along Amboy Road and specifically improved Richmond Avenue and Amboy Road. Contained within the congested corridor program are SIR stops at Eltingville, Great Kills, Bay Terrace and Oakwood, and we have improved connectivity and altered some MTA bus links for easier transit. A CPI is in progress for other improvements.
* The Traffic Task Force also completed more than 12 one-way conversions this year, as well as more than 60 Right Turns on Red since the Task Force recommendation was implemented in 2008.
* There were 47,447 potholes filled during Fiscal Year 2009 and 118 lane miles paved.
* Of the 12,300 traffic lights in New York City, only one of them is “smart.” At Borough President Molinaro’s request, DOT instituted a pilot program and installed a “Smart Light” on Victory Boulevard in front of the College of Staten Island. For the last year, the traffic light has stayed “green” for longer periods of time on Victory Boulevard when there is light traffic volume at the College. This has allowed traffic to flow better and has reduced congestion on Victory Boulevard. The light has been successful and has been well-received by motorists.
October 22, 2009