Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycle Infrastructure

Will Transit, Bikes, and Peds Get a Stimulus We Can Believe In?

2547408350_8ecd03abd1.jpgThe Smith/9th St. subway station is one of many that could benefit from stimulus spending. Photo: Victoria Belanger/Flickr

Sam Schwartz has an op-ed in today's Daily News urging New York's leaders to get ready for the massive stimulus package taking shape in Washington:

Billions of dollars are being dangled in front of big cities in the form of President-elect Barack Obama's proposed public works stimulus. A queue has already started forming -- as Philadelphia, Phoenix, Atlanta, Connecticut and North Carolina have dusted off plans with ready-to-go projects.

Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg must act now to ensure that New York doesn't miss the boat -- or the train, or the bus.

The competition for funds is not just between regions, but between modes as well. The Times reported yesterday that APTA has identified a bundle of transit projects as candidates for stimulus spending:

The American Public Transportation Association, which representslocal mass transit authorities, said there were $8 billion in "ready-to-go" projects that could preserve or create thousands of jobsand provide more energy-efficient transportation.

Beverly A.Scott, the chief executive of Atlanta’s transit agency and head of thenational association, told Congress in October that the projectsincluded diesel-electric hybrid buses for Chicago; a new busmaintenance shop for Eugene, Ore.; and a set of crossover tracks toallow San Francisco’s rapid transit trains to turn around more quicklyand carry more riders.

Is $8 billion aiming high enough when a consensus has emerged for stimulus spending of at least $300 billion for each of the next two years?

In October, Reconnecting America released a report identifying $248 billion in transit projects on the drawing board. Not all of those would qualify for stimulus funds, which are supposed to be directed toward projects that can get underway and create jobs within 90 days. (We're told there might be a second stage of stimulus spending that would be more conducive to bigger capital projects.) But some worry that transit providers are so accustomed to getting outspent by highway builders that they won't make the most of this opportunity. "Aim low and you'll hit Mt. Everest instead of the moon," says Reconnecting America's Jeff Wood.

There's also the question of bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and whether those projects will get more than crumbs. Portland, as usual, looks like a leader in this regard. Bike Portland reported last month that PDOT included a $24 million, 110-mile bike boulevard project as part of a larger federal funding request.

When we asked local transportation agencies what projects they would seek stimulus funds for, the MTA had a list of "ready to go" projects prepared (posted below). NYCDOT has not returned inquiries, and the state DOT told us its list is still a work in progress.

Potential MTA Stimulus Proposals

The MTA has a variety of capital and operating initiatives that have been designed or planned but have not been implemented due to budgetary issues.

They fall into the following categories and could be underway and “on the street” within 60-90 days and create immediate employment opportunities.

There are between $800 million and $1 billion worth of projects that fall into these areas:

  1. Full and Partial Station Rehabilitations
  2. Station Painting at Deteriorated Stations
  3. Bridge Painting
  4. Accelerating Track Replacement
  5. Accelerating Flood Prevention Measures
  6. Advancing Bus Depot Rehabilitations and Expansions
  7. Station, Track and Car Cleaning
  8. Improvements to Employee Facilities
  9. Improving Elevator and Escalator Repairs
  10. Providing Pedestrian Overpasses at some LIRR/MNR stations
  11. Commuter Railroad Parking Enhancements
  12. Commuter Rail Right of Way Cleanup and Tree Trimming

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts