File #: Res 1221-2008    Version: * Name: NYS DOT and the NYC DOT to approve and institute a plan for the construction of a Gowanus Expressway Tunnel.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on State and Federal Legislation
On agenda: 1/30/2008
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York, the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Transportation to approve and institute a plan for the construction of a Gowanus Expressway Tunnel to replace the elevated Gowanus Expressway.
Sponsors: Lewis A. Fidler, Sara M. Gonzalez, Bill De Blasio, Vincent J. Gentile, David Yassky, Joel Rivera, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Simcha Felder, Thomas White, Jr., Diana Reyna, James Sanders, Jr., Kendall Stewart, James S. Oddo, Darlene Mealy, John C. Liu, Melissa Mark-Viverito, James F. Gennaro, Alan J. Gerson, Eric N. Gioia, Charles Barron, Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, Erik Martin Dilan, Letitia James, Larry B. Seabrook
Council Member Sponsors: 24

Res. No. 1221

 

Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York, the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Transportation to approve and institute a plan for the construction of a Gowanus Expressway Tunnel to replace the elevated Gowanus Expressway.

 

By Council Members Fidler, Gonzalez, DeBlasio, Gentile, Yassky, Rivera, Comrie, Felder, White Jr., Reyna, Sanders Jr., Stewart, Oddo, Mealy, Liu, Mark-Viverito, Gennaro, Gerson, Gioia, Barron, Arroyo, Dilan, James and Seabrook

 

Whereas, The replacement of the Gowanus Expressway by a Gowanus Tunnel would result in improved traffic flow, reduced congestion, and the opportunity to open the west Brooklyn waterfront to economic development, housing and parkland; and

Whereas, There is some concern that the Gowanus Expressway has long been one of the nation’s most overtaxed and overused roads; and

Whereas, Some people believe that the Gowanus Expressway is one of the City’s greatest sources of congestion and air pollution; and

Whereas, The cost of maintaining and repairing the ill-designed elevated roadway results in wasteful spending and a continuous stream of traffic-impairing roadwork projects; and

Whereas, The Gowanus Expressway cuts off the western Brooklyn waterfront from the residential communities to its east, severely diminishing the value of the magnificent asset of the west Brooklyn waterfront; and

Whereas, Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in both the Hudson Yards area of Manhattan and in the development of the western shore of Manhattan while not enough has been done to develop this vast area of Brooklyn’s waterfront; and

Whereas, The benefits arising from creation of new housing, businesses and beautiful waterfront parks on the west Brooklyn waterfront would more than offset the costs of a Gowanus Expressway Tunnel over time; now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor of the City of New York, the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Transportation to approve and institute a plan for the construction of a Gowanus Expressway Tunnel to replace the elevated Gowanus Expressway.

 

 

 

PH

LS# 4374

1.22.08 - 1:36 pm