Directs the department of transportation to keep open the high-occupancy vehicle lane on certain areas of I-278 for twenty-four hour periods

1 Co-sponsor

• Andrew J. Lanza

BILL NUMBER:S2963

Title of bill

An act directing the department of transportation to keep certain roadways open

Purpose

The purpose of this bill is to improve the flow of traffic by dispersing more cars among more lanes, while preserving the principal objective of the high-occupancy vehicle lane

Summary of provisions

Subsection 1 directs the Department of Transpor- tation to allow all high occupancy vehicles to use the "high-occupancy vehicle" lanes of the specified portion of Interstate 278 at all times, while reserving for the Department of Transportation the right to close such lanes for purposes for maintenance and repairs

Subsection 2 defines "high-occupancy vehicle" as any automobile contain- ing three or more people

Justification

Interstate 278 (I-278) is one of the most heavily trav- eled roadways in all of New York State, running through each of New York City's five boroughs. New York's southernmost portion of I-278, known as the Staten island Expressway, suffers from significant traffic and bottlenecks as motorists: make their way between New Jersey, Manhattan, and Long Island. To accommodate this, "high-occupancy vehicle" (HOV) lanes were established to provide an incentive for car-pooling and public transportation, resulting in less vehicles on the road, shortened travel time, and a less chaotic flow of traffic.

The HOV lanes on the Staten Island Expressway are currently open to high-occupancy vehicles (3 or more individuals) and buses from 6:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. for traffic heading toward the Verrazana Narrows Bridge, and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for traffic heading toward the Goethals Bridge. During all other hours, the lanes may be used only by buses. This legislation would permit the use of these lanes by any automobile containing three or more people during all other hours as well.

Making use of HOV lanes during off-peak hours has proven effective in other parts of New York S7ate similar policy has been implemented in Nassau County on a portion of the Long Island Expressway (LIE) between Exits 32 and 40. HOV lanes along ten miles of the roadway between the "Towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay are open for use during off- peak hours, providing relief for notorious LIE traffic.

The essential function of the HOV lane is to provide an incentive for people to car-pool or make use of public transportation, resulting in less vehicles on the road. Extending this "off-peak" privilege to all high-occupancy vehicles would further that goal.

Legislative history

2012 Session - new legislation S. 7657 passed Senate

Effective date

90 days after it shall become law