Res. No. 1220
Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Federal government to approve and institute a plan for the construction of the Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel.
By Council Members Fidler, Rivera, Comrie, DeBlasio, Oddo, Arroyo, Reyna, Barron, Eugene, Gennaro, Gentile, Ignizio, James, Koppell, Lappin, Mark-Viverito, Foster, Gerson, Sanders Jr., Seabrook, Stewart, White Jr., Yassky, Dilan and Weprin
Whereas, The construction of the Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel, spanning the New York Harbor, would, according to the Pratt Center for Community Development, take approximately one million truck runs off the streets of New York City every year; and
Whereas, The most noxious vehicular traffic in the City comes from trucks; and
Whereas, Many trucks occupy the same space as approximately three to four passenger vehicles, emit considerably more pollution and are responsible for the vast majority of wear and tear on our existing roadways and bridges; and
Whereas, According to an article published in The New York Sun on October 18, 2007, a grant of $100 million from the Federal government to study the feasibility of building the Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel is already in place and it is expected that a considerable portion of the estimated multi-billion dollar cost will come from the Federal government; and
Whereas, According to Move NY & NJ, a transportation advocacy group, numerous other benefits of the Cross Harbor Tunnel include the creation of 23,000 permanent long-term jobs and 6,500 construction jobs, savings in road repair and maintenance, and the creation of a third arterial to bring freight into the City; and
Whereas, The reduced number of trucks traveling through the City resulting from construction of the Cross Harbor Tunnel would bring with it the innumerable environmental, ecological and health benefits of cleaner air; and
Whereas, Sound dampening materials and other ameliorating landscaping can be used along the right of way to ensure that neighboring communities are not adversely affected by increased use of the train line; and
Whereas, There are a number of possible unloading areas along the right of way, including, but not limited to, the Brooklyn Terminal Market, Maspeth, and the East New York Industrial Park, that would enjoy the economic benefits associated with the unloading of the rail freight; and
Whereas, The use of the rail freight line would create numerous economic development opportunities throughout the City of New York; 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 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Federal government to approve and institute a plan for the construction of the Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel.
PH
LS # 4375
1.22.08 - 1:37 pm