Q&A
Council member questions DOT Street's Plan progress and funding
6:11:44
·
3 min
Council Member Brooks-Powers inquires about the Department of Transportation's progress on the Street's Plan, highlighting the failure to meet requirements for bus lanes and bus stop upgrades. She questions whether insufficient funding is hampering DOT's ability to fulfill the mandate.
- DOT has only completed 19% of required bus lanes and 6.8% of required bus stop upgrades
- Commissioner Rodriguez previously stated DOT could do more with more resources
- Director Jiha explains that funding is one factor, but DOT also faces challenges with marking capacity, materials, staffing, and space constraints
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
6:11:44
The first is related to Department of Transportation Street's plan.
6:11:49
The administration has consistently failed to meet the requirements of the street's plan.
6:11:53
The Department of Transportation reported in its most recent street plan update that it has only built on 9.6 miles of bus lane for 19% of the requirement.
6:12:05
The agency was also required to upgrade 1,000 bus stops, but has completed only 6.8% of the requirement.
6:12:15
During the hearing on their executive plan, when pressed about the reason, DOT has not been able to fulfill its requirement.
6:12:23
Commissioner Rodriguez reiterated several times that DOT can do more with more.
6:12:29
The first question on that is is DOT being hampered in its ability to meet the requirements of the street plan by the fact that it that it is not provided enough funding to meet the mandate?
6:12:41
And 2, will the administration commit to increasing DOT's funding for the street plan so the city can meet its legal requirements under the street's plan.
6:12:52
And then my next question is regarding the trauma hospital in Far Rockaway, which, Doctor.
6:12:58
Ghi, you and I have spoken about this a number of times.
6:13:01
I know that mayor Adams come to Southeast Queens and been asked about his support of the trauma, facility, which he has publicly supported.
6:13:11
He even joined me for the kickoff of the task force that I co chair with doctor Katz.
6:13:18
Since the closure of Peninsula Hospital in 2012, residents in Far Rockaway, Queens have not had access to a neighborhood trauma center.
6:13:27
In the fiscal 2025 preliminary budget response, we called on the administration to Rockaway Peninsula that provides trauma focused care to community members.
6:13:43
No funding was added to the executive plan for the build a trauma center in Far Rockaway?
6:13:57
And if yes, can you provide a timeline to fund this project?
Jacques Jiha
6:14:03
Let's start with the, DOT.
6:14:06
We do expect for the street plans.
6:14:08
As you know, the street plans set a very ambitious, some targets that, you know, the that's what the law sets, and, DOT is always trying to strive to meet those targets.
6:14:24
And I hear you.
6:14:25
I hear the commissioner.
6:14:27
I believe funding is one piece of the equation, but DOT continue to experience some challenges with marking capacity.
6:14:37
They have, shortage in installation materials and staffing, and they also have some, facilities space constraints.
6:14:47
So it's not just, funding, they have other challenges that have to be addressed in order to have all the resources that they need to meet the ambitious, goal and targets that were set in the Street Plans local law.
