Mayor Adams invests nearly $1 billion to improve traffic safety

Mayor Eric Adams commits $904 million to make New York City streets safer for pedestrians. The investment will go towards funding the NYC Streets Plan, which aims to improve the sustainability and affordability of public transportation and address the traffic violence problem. The plan also involves the expansion of bike lanes across the city. 

New York City roads continue to become more and more dangerous due to the rising number of deaths related to traffic accidents. In the first three months of 2022, crashes killed 59 people, Streetsblog reports. Traffic fatalities surged 44 percent compared to last year, according to the non-profit project Vision Zero. 

“This investment is a game-changer,” said Mayor Adams. “Too many New Yorkers have lost their lives to the traffic violence crisis, and we are seeing cities across the country struggle just like us, but this historic investment will allow New Yorkers to walk and cycle around our city without fear.”

The New York City Council originally asked for $3.1 billion to help fund the NYC Streets Plan. The five-year transportation master plan calls to create 150 miles of bus lanes and 250 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of 2026, amNY reports. In addition, the initiative includes the expansion of pedestrian space to 1 million square feet by the end of 2023.  

The mayor’s administration pledged to upgrade 20 miles of bike lanes by 2023. The nearly $1 billion investment announcement also included the commitment to improve physical infrastructure on additional five bike lanes: two in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens. This step will help complete 10 miles of bike lanes upgrades in 2022. 

“The ‘NYC Streets Plan’ is a critical investment in our city’s future,” said Sara Lind, director of policy at Open Plans, which aims to improve the transportation systems . “Freeing New Yorkers from car dependency will save lives, improve public health, support the millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transportation, and help to mitigate the climate crisis.”

Resources:

“Adams announces nearly $1B investment for NYC Streets Plan,” by Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2022)

“Mayor Adams Puts Nearly $1 Billion Into Street Safety,” by Julianne Cuba (Streetsblog NYC, 2022)

“Report: Forget Last Year — The First Quarter of This Year is The Bloodiest Year Since Vision Zero Began,” by Gersh Kuntzman (Streetsblog NYC, 2022)

“Dollars and street $ense: City Council wants $3 billion more in city budget for ‘Streets Plan’,” by Kevin Duggan (amNY, 2022)

“Mayor Adams Announces Historic Investment of More than $900 Million in Traffic Safety to Turn the Tide on Traffic Violence Crisis,” (NYC, 2022)