Relates to allowing vehicles containing three or more passengers to utilize the high occupancy lane on the Staten Island expressway

1 Co-sponsor

• Andrew J. Lanza

BILL NUMBER:S4968A

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to allowing vehicles containing three or more passengers to utilize the high occupancy vehicle lane on the Staten Island expressway

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to facilitate the opening of high occupancy vehicle lanes along the Staten Island Expressway during all hours of the day.

Summary of specific provisions

Subsection 1 directs the Department of Transportation to allow motorists to use the "high-occupancy vehicle" lanes of the specified portion of Interstate 278 during 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while reserving for the Department of Transportation the right to close such lanes for purposes of maintenance, emergencies, and repairs.

Justification

Interstate 278 (1-278) is one of the most heavily traveled roadways in all of New York State, running through each of New York City's five boroughs. The southernmost portion of 1-278, known as the Staten Island Expressway, suffers from significant traffic and bottlenecks. To accommodate this, a "high-occupancy vehicle" (HOV) lane is being established to provide an incentive for car-pooling and public transportation, resulting in less vehicles on the road and a shortened commute time to and from Manhattan.

The HOV lane along the Staten Island Expressway is currently opened only during peak hours. During all other hours, the lanes are barricaded and unused. Despite a drop in traffic during off-peak hours, 1278 remains heavily used and retains extraordinarily long travel times. The use of high occupancy vehicle lanes during all hours would help to alleviate traffic.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

This bill shall take effect immediately.