Borough President Vito Fossella Hosts Transportation Summit

Borough President Vito J. Fossella gathered his fellow elected officials and representatives from a number of city agencies to discuss traffic and transit issues plaguing Staten Island, as well as to share ideas about potential solutions, during a Transportation Summit in Borough Hall on Tuesday.

“It’s common knowledge that one of the most important quality-of-life issues on Staten Island is traffic and transportation,” said Borough President Fossella. “We thought it would be worthwhile to collect all the elected officials and representatives, as well as some of the major stakeholders who get things done, to highlight what we thought are the major priorities to improve traffic conditions, to enhance safety, to expedite the flow of traffic while maintaining safety and to speak with one solid voice on these priorities.”

Here are the priorities they outlined:

• Replacing the Outerbridge Crossing, which opened in 1928. As of now, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is exploring widening the bridge, rather than a full replacement
• Extending the HOV lane on the Staten Island Expressway
• Improving Staten Island Ferry service: There has been a longstanding contract dispute, plus cutbacks in overnight ferry service as a result of staffing shortages
• Keeping current speed limits intact: A proposal introduced by Gov. Kathy Hochul would allow speed limits to be lowered
• Opposition to congestion pricing: The proposal to implement congestion pricing would charge vehicles a toll for driving in certain areas in the city during peak times
• Enhancing safety on Hylan Boulevard: Adding increased law enforcement as a warning to dangerous drivers​