Conflict over highway signs
Federal officials are not showing the love for signs put up along New York's busiest highways and it could cost the state millions of dollars in fines. The feds ordered them taken down years ago, saying they were distracting for drivers. For the last five years, Kaehny has watched Gov. Andrew Cuomo defy the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices by erecting more than 500 "I Love New York" highway signs across the state after the federal government told him not to.
Congestion pricing analysis
A nonprofit group says that its analysis proves that congestion pricing will not hurt the average New Yorker. However, others are saying "Hold on a minute—that analysis doesn't tell the whole story." The Tri-State Transportation Campaign analyzed federal census data about travel patterns into Manhattan south of 60th Street. That area is referred to as the toll zone for proposed congestion pricing.
Mini ambulances in Times Square
In an emergency, every second counts. And in a jam-packed Times Square, squeezing through traffic in a big ambulance slows down first responders' arrival time. The delay could be life-threatening. Cue the ASAP vehicle. The FDNY's new ASAP vehicle is designed to get to Times Square as soon as possible, but the name actually stands for alternative support apparatus. The truck is 8 feet tall and 5 feet in width, as compared to a normal ambulance, which is 9 feet tall and 8 feet wide.
Congestion pricing support
The issue is traffic in Manhattan. The government's possible solution is congestion pricing—charging drivers $11.52 in fees to drive south of 60th Street during peak traffic times. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone is one of the 16 people on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Fix New York City panel that made the recommendation. Bellone said the solution makes sense. The proposal could raise up to $1.5 billion a year to help fund the antiquated subway system.
Leonia restricts access
As a response to navigation apps that re-route some of the tens of thousands of vehicles headed to the GWB each morning, Leonia, N.J., now bars the use of side streets to non-residents during the morning and evening commutes. Violators could face a $200 fine.
Congestion pricing backlash
Drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. would be charged $11.52. Trucks would pay $25. For-hire vehicles, like taxis, Uber, Lyft and Via, could see surcharges from $2 to $5 per ride. All the money would go to repairing and maintaining the MTA's crumbling subway and bus system.
Congestion pricing: benefits and goals
As angry as many New Yorkers are at the idea of congestion pricing, others admit that paying to drive into Manhattan may be a necessity to fix crumbling infrastructure. Although congestion pricing is not a new proposal, it is needed now more than ever, according to Bruce Schaller, who worked on the idea back during the Bloomberg administration.
Congestion pricing: Queens reaction
Drivers Fox 5 spoke with in Queens said the proposed congestion pricing fee has them shaking their heads. Some are already looking for a Plan B. City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer admitted congestion is a problem but said he is hearing from Queens residents about the fee. Many told him the fee will be a hardship.
Congestion pricing: plan overview
by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The pricing zone would cover Manhattan south of 60th Street from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Trucks would pay $25 and for-hire vehicles could see surcharges from $2 to $5 per ride. The money would go towards the MTA's crumbling subway and bus system. But members of the panel told Fox 5 they weren't allowed to seek guarantees the state won't use the new funds to withdraw state funding from the MTA, which the governor has done before.
Congestion pricing plan
A traffic-management idea that seems to come around every few years but then dies off has yet again resurfaced: so-called congestion pricing in Manhattan. Fox 5 spoke to several drivers during rush hour in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday. They all said that they oppose the very thought of congestion pricing. But they may have to get used it one day. The idea is included in New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's new budget proposal. The governor said his plan would not put tolls on the East River bridges.
SkyFoxHD: Times Square fire
A fire that broke out in the parking garage in Times Square prompted the partial evacuation of an office building Monday evening. Firefighters responded to 1540 Broadway shortly after 4 p.m., the FDNY said. The 45-story tower houses several major companies, including Viacom, and retailers, including the Disney Store.
Car-free Prospect Park
Prospect Park in Brooklyn was created 150 years ago, obviously long before automobiles. Now with up to 10 million visitors a year and people outnumbering cars 3 to 1 in the morning hours, New York City has decided to announce that cars are out.
Concern over bike lanes
Some residents of Douglaston, Queens, aren't holding back on how they feel about a recently installed bike lanes on Northern Boulevard and Douglaston Parkway. They are calling the lanes a "death trap," "kind of invisible," and "dangerous to bikers and drivers" because of a concrete barrier.
Reckless cyclists
Cell phone video depicts a dangerous trend seen more and more on Long Island: Kids on bikes disrupting drivers by swerving into oncoming traffic. Officials said the trend started in New York City and moved to the suburbs over the summer. Part of the issue is that chasing the kids is dangerous so they end up getting away.
Tappan Zee Bridge closes
Another milestone is in the books as westbound traffic on the Tappan Zee Bridge was switched over to the new $4 billion Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge Friday evening. Traffic backed up due to closures and detours but the situation is temporary. This will allow the crews to begin demolishing the old bridge while finishing the new one, which is expected to be done sometime in 2018.
Blindly following GPS
Is it blind faith? Why do we follow our GPS even when we think it is wrong? A bicycle deliveryman found that out the hard way and ended up in the Lincoln Tunnel. Cops pulled him over and slapped with a summons.
Congestion pricing in Manhattan
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has changed course and now believes that some form of charging motorists to enter Manhattan is called for. He said his plan will be different from the one then-Mayor Mike Bloomberg proposed a decade ago. While Cuomo didn't give specifics on the plan he is considering, one plan that has already gotten a lot of attention would put tolls on the East River crossings while lowering tolls on other outer-borough bridges, such as the Verrazano, and charging drivers who enter or exit Midtown Manhattan at 60th Street at peak times.
Bicycling in New York City
With all the issues going on with the subway and of course the usual traffic and construction throughout the city, a lot of New Yorkers say riding your bike is now one of the best ways to get around. Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White said bicycling has grown 150 percent since 2006. New York now has about half a million bike trips every day. He held a press conference Monday with Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.
'Bridgegate' mastermind avoids prison
David Wildstein, the statistician, was sentenced to three years probation and no jail time in federal court Wednesday for his role in orchestrating the scheme to close access lanes at the George Washington Bridge in September 2013 that brought down two former allies of Republican Gov. Chris Christie, including his former deputy chief of staff.
NYC traffic is terrible and getting worse
Transportation engineer Sam Schwartz would know. Known as "Gridlock Sam," he is one of the leading transportation experts in the country. He says a major contributor is the surge of car services such as Uber, Lyft, and Via in the past two years. Schwartz said these services have grown by 500 percent and have now eclipsed the number of trips that yellow taxi drivers make.