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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Challenges in meeting Street Plan benchmarks
2:07:42
ยท
5 min
Commissioner Rodriguez addresses the difficulties faced by DOT in meeting some of the most ambitious Street Plan benchmarks and outlines the steps taken to address these challenges.
- Some benchmarks have proven untenable due to logistical and resource constraints.
- The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, leading to hiring and spending freezes.
- The Adams administration has been aggressively rebuilding agency capacity to meet the intent of the Street Plan, even on a COVID-delayed schedule.
- Challenges include:
- Staffing shortages
- Facility space limitations
- Operational capacity constraints
- Funding needs
- DOT continues to strive to achieve the Street Plan benchmarks while also delivering critical safety infrastructure and quality of life improvements not measured by the plan.
Ydanis Rodriguez
2:07:42
Despite these records accomplishments, some of the most ambitious street plan benchmark have proven untenable due to various logistical and resources constraint.
2:07:53
Prior to the bill that we passed, which was a bill that I carry as a former chairman and co sponsor of this bill, the agency cautioned that the benchmark will require significantly more funding and logistical support to achieve.
2:08:10
This gap was made was only made worse by the COVID nineteen pandemic hitting soon after the bill passed just few months after, leading to hiring and spending freezes.
2:08:24
With this in mind, the Adams administration has been aggressively rebuilding agency capacity to meet the intent of the SWIP plan even on COVID delay schedule.
2:08:36
On staffing, the transportation planning and management division largely responsible for everything that you see marking and planning in our streets.
2:08:46
And you can stand up at the in the entry of city hall and just imagine everything that happened at the intersection go through this great department that we have.
2:08:57
So they they have increased staffing over 12% from COVID low to 466 staff members to 525 staff members currently.
2:09:11
On space, more staff and more operational output require more facility space.
2:09:17
And DOT and DCAAS has been working together to secure more space through the complex city process.
2:09:24
This include new space for concrete crews in Brooklyn in 2024.
2:09:30
You can see a photo from when I visited our sidewalks and inspection management team at our yard in South Bronx.
2:09:38
On the screen and in my testimony, a new dedicated facility for in house marking crews that will allow that program to expand And ongoing work to upgrade Massive Central Shop, the house significant operational responsibility, including DOTs, sign shop, our in house marking crude, and our parking meter maintenance unit.
2:10:03
Also include as part of this year preliminary budget is $319,000,000 for the reconstruction of our of our Flatland Yard facilities in Brooklyn.
2:10:15
This yard is critical twenty four seven site for DOT operations as he house the team responsible for Brooklyn's roadway repairs and snow plowing as well as fleet service which performs maintenance on DOT's heavy duty vehicles.
2:10:33
On public engagement, the Adams administration has shown a big commitment to bring the agency to the community, to local engagement.
2:10:41
Including with the commission in your borough initiative where I spend one day a month in a different borough meeting with elected official, community board, business improvement districts, and more.
2:10:54
And tomorrow my day is in Queens.
2:10:57
DOT has expanded how we do outreach including through on our street engagement.
2:11:05
We street ambassadors picture conducting engagements on this e scooter share program in Jamaica, Queens in the photo on the screen and in my testimony.
2:11:15
Door to door service to residents or residents and businesses and online workshops.
2:11:21
Last year alone DOT received feedback from local community members at nearly 2,600 events.
2:11:28
In addition, the council has enacted a number of local laws around notification that affect the timelines of project delivery.
2:11:37
Together, there can they can cause project to take longer but are important for helping deliver projects in line with local community feedback.
2:11:48
On the funding, the Adams administration has committed significant capital and expense funding toward the street plan effort.
2:11:55
Including the initial down payment of over 900,000,000 as well as funding others need.
2:12:02
On operations, the agency has stated from the first street plan that is ambitious target.
2:12:08
Go beyond the agency assisting capacity and that of our in house crews and contracting partners.
2:12:16
Achieving the street plan in its entire would for example require roughly doubling the numbers of marking used for new boats and bike lanes.
2:12:27
DOT has been increasing its in house construction capacity including opening a new yard for additional concrete crew and purchasing our first striped hook which is a specialized piece of markings equipment that use high power water to prepare a surface for marking.
2:12:48
DOT will continue to strive to achieve the street plan benchmark and to develop project that advance safe and sustainable transportation including delivery delivering critical safety infrastructure and quality of life improvement that are not measured by the street plan.