Aaron Naparstek

That was quick.

Supporters of congestion pricing are taking issue with the methodology of a new Quinnipiac poll which showed New Yorkers split on the issue.

“Asking people if they want to pay more to drive without explaining what they are paying for doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know,” said Kathy Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for NYC.

“When New Yorkers learn of the many benefits that come from congestion pricing, they become supporters,“ said Gene Russianoff of NYPIRG/Straphangers Campaign, a member of the 80-plus groups in the Campaign for New York’s Future.

Transporation advocate and blogger Aaron Naparstek has more criticism of the poll here.

I'm waiting for a response from Quinnipiac.

Aaron Naparstek has another name of a possible NYC DOT Commissioner: Kate Ascher.

Unlike Joe Bruno, Sheldon Silver may not support Eliot Spitzer's plan to build a casino in the Catskills.

Spitzer's nominee for Environmental Conservation Commissioner is facing opposition...from an online petition.

The Village Voice goes after Chuck Schumer for what they say has been a slow response to workers with World Trade Center-related health problems.

"Opposing any pathway to legalization would harm American workers," writes Andrea Batista Schlesinger.

The New York League of Conservation Voters launched a blog.

The muckrakers of The Albany Project hit the airwaves tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Senator Tim Johnson is now in a private care facility.

Barack Obama hires another person 6-footer.

Mitt Romney's television ad is here.

A man accused of helping terrorists donated $15,000 to Republicans.

And pictured above is Eliot Spitzer during his visit to Ground Zero this morning.

-- Azi Paybarah

After the recent death of a four-year-old pedestrian in Brooklyn, Streetsblog took the occasion to dig up a 2004 press release from the NYC Department of Transportation.

The announcement said that the city had a plan to make that area in Downtown Brooklyn safer by Fiscal Year 2006, by which time a $4 million traffic-easing plan was supposed to be put into place. Pedestrian advocate Aaron Naparstek says that so far, that hasn't happened.

From the website:

The pedestrian safety recommendations were never implemented despite a March 19, 2004 announcement by DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall that DOT would make an "immediate review" of the Third Avenue corridor and accelerate "$4 million in funding for capital improvements associated with the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming... from Fiscal Year 2009 to Fiscal Year 2006." These funds, according to the commissioner's statement would "enable DOT to install median extensions, neckdowns and other traffic-calming initiatives." Fiscal Year 2006 ended on June 30.

I'm waiting for a call back to the DOT, but in the meantime, does anyone know whether the whole $4 million allotted for improvements has been spent, and how close the city has come to meeting the "traffic calming" goals it set in 2004?

-- Azi Paybarah

Alex Garvin has been Dan Doctoroff’s favorite urban planner for about seven years now, ever si  read more »

Alex Garvin has been Dan Doctoroff’s favorite urban planner for about seven years now, ever since  read more »