L Train Closure Relief Plan

Section 1. Legislative intent. The L subway line is of vital importance to commuters, the local community, and businesses within the service area of the line. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers ride the line on a daily basis, and such ridership volume is essential to the economic vitality of nearby businesses. Officials from the metropolitan transportation authority (MTA) have indicated that portions of the L subway line will be temporarily closed for repair work beginning in April of 2019. The closure is anticipated to last fifteen months and affect all L subway line stations west of the Bedford Avenue Station. The temporary closure of the L subway line will cause individual and economic hardships for those who rely on the line for transportation and economic opportunities. Currently, there is no statutory requirement that would mandate the MTA to develop a plan to address the impacts of such a closure, allow for public feedback, and provide the plan to the community. It is the intent of the legislature that there be a legal requirement for the MTA to consider and address all of the impacts of such a significant closure and provide a plan to the public in a timely manner. Such plan shall require the MTA to address timelines involved with the proposed closure, transportation alternatives to accommodate

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD04683-01-9

A. 2730 2

diverted riders, transportation facility improvements and expansion, the authority to utilize bus lane cameras to facilitate alternative forms of transportation, and provide for public input throughout the planning process and the L subway line closure. Public notice and involvement throughout the process is essential so that everyday riders are able to adjust their commuting habits and businesses are able to adapt to such a change as a result of the closure. The legislature hereby finds and declares that the L subway line closure and its impacts are a significant concern. The legislature further finds and declares that the MTA shall be required to have a plan, prior to the L subway line closure, that would mitigate the effects of, and accommodate those affected by, the closure. Finally, the legislature finds and declares that such plan shall provide for public input and be provided to the community.

§ 2. The public authorities law is amended by adding a new section 1279-e to read as follows:

§ 1279-e. L subway line closure mitigation plan. 1. The authority, in consultation with the New York city department of transportation, the New York city economic development corporation, the permanent citizens advisory committee to the authority and any other entity the authority deems relevant, shall develop a plan to mitigate the individual and economic hardships due to the L subway line closure. Such plan shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a) an anticipated timeline for the L subway line closure, including the anticipated start time and date for the closure and the anticipated end time and date for the closure;

(b) an analysis of the anticipated increase in ridership on alternative routes, including but not limited to, alternative bus routes, alternative subway routes and all other forms of alternative transportation utilized to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(c) identification of the specific corridors and related transportation modes that will be impacted and disrupted by the L subway line closure;

(d) identification of the specific impacts and disruptions caused by the L subway line closure at alternative routes, corridors and related transportation modes to accommodate diverted L-riders;

(e) identification of specific mitigation measures to lessen the identified and anticipated impacts and disruptions at alternative routes, corridors and related transportation modes;

(f) identification of surface and subway transportation improvements and restrictions to prepare for the disruption and impacts of the L subway line closure;

(g) a determination of the timing and scope of each individual improvement and restriction to surface and subway transportation;

(h) commencement, advertisement and publication of public hearings before, during and after the closure of the L subway line;

(i) an extensive community outreach process before, during and after the L subway line closure;

(j) additional station turnstile, stair and control area capacity and service at the numerous stations on the alternative subway lines to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(k) additional L-alternative subway line service and capacity on weekends and overnights;

(l) shuttle bus service to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure in the L subway line closure area;

A. 2730 3

(m) free transfers for ferry, bus and subway lines to accommodate diverted passengers as a result of the L subway line closure;

(n) increased ferry capacity and service connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(o) increased bus service and capacity to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure within the L subway line closure area;

(p) increased subway service and capacity on L alternative route subway lines to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(q) identification of subway station improvements at L-alternative route subway lines to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(r) fare parity between ferry, bus and subway lines for diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(s) contract incentives and penalties for the contractors to encourage the completion of the L subway line closure project within fifteen months;

(t) the implementation of bus lanes in order to move buses quickly and not add to congestion and to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(u) the implementation of high occupancy vehicle(HOV) lane restrictions in order to move high occupancy vehicles quickly and not add to congestion and to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(v) the identification of appropriate placement of HOV lanes throughout the impacted area to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(w) determination and evaluation enforcement measures of HOV lanes;

(x) the periodic review of the effectiveness of HOV lanes;

(y) analysis of the impact of the Williamsburg Bridge restrictions on the other East River crossings;

(z) mitigation of an outsized shift of diverted L-riders to for-hire vehicles that could lead to massive congestion at East River crossings;

(aa) development of robust plans for bicycle use to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(bb) expanded access to pedestrians, bus riders and cyclists along L-alternative route transportation corridors to ensure quick and efficient movement for diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(cc) peak hour restrictions to assist buses in traveling along L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(dd) bus lanes to assist buses in traveling along L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(ee) select bus service to assist buses in traveling along L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(ff) upgrading of select bus service to assist buses traveling along L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(gg) temporary bus bulbs to assist buses traveling along L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

A. 2730 4

(hh) offset bus lines to assist buses traveling along L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(ii) sidewalk expansion along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(jj) new pedestrian space along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(kk) an analysis and determination of the impact on daily cycling volume along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(ll) two-way protected crosstown bike lane to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(mm) pedestrianized street features along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(nn) new bike parking hubs along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(oo) new ferry routes along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(pp) increased services and capacity for community bicycle-sharing programs to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(qq) identification and implementation of the placement of additional crosswalks along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure;

(rr) additional bicycle parking along the L-alternative transportation routes to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure; and

(ss) the periodic briefing of elected officials on the status of the subway line closure before, during and after the closure.

2. In developing the plan referenced in subdivision one of this section, the authority shall consider but not be limited to the following actions and measures for inclusion in said plan:

(a) discounted advertising on all authority advertising mediums within the L subway line closure area;

(b) signage within the L subway line closure area in the vicinity of above-ground work sites which state that nearby businesses are open;

(c) the commissioning of public art to be installed within the L subway line closure area for the purpose of drawing visitors to neighborhoods in the L subway line closure area;

(d) methods to encourage the patronage of businesses within the L subway line closure area;

(e) in consultation with the urban development corporation, providing financial assistance to businesses within the L subway line closure area, including grants and rental and utility assistance; and

(f) in consultation with the New York city economic development corporation, identifying state owned property in Manhattan which may be used as temporary showrooms for businesses within the L subway line project area.

3. For purposes of this section "L subway line closure area" shall mean an area approved by the board of the authority that is adjacent to or affected by the temporary closure of portions of the L subway line for repairs.

A. 2730 5

4. The L subway line closure mitigation plan required pursuant to this section shall, no later than sixty days before the commencement of the L subway line closure, be submitted to the governor, the temporary president of the senate and the speaker of the assembly, be posted on the authority's website and also be made readily available to the public.

5. The authority shall not charge an additional or extra fare or fee for any shuttle bus service to accommodate diverted L-riders as a result of the L subway line closure in the L subway line closure area.

§ 3. Paragraph 5 of subdivision (c) of section 1111-c of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 6 of part NNN of chapter 59 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:

5. "bus rapid transit program" shall mean up to ten routes designated by the New York city department of transportation in consultation with the applicable mass transit agency, a route designated by the New York city department of transportation on Grand Street, Delancey Street and the Williamsburg Bridge from the Grand Street station to the Delancey Street station, and a route designated by the New York city department of transportation on Fourteenth Street between Third and Ninth Avenues eastbound and Third and Eighth Avenues westbound, in addition to the Bus Rapid Transit Phase I plan routes, that operate on designated bus lanes and that may include upgraded signage, enhanced road markings, minimum bus stop spacing, off-board fare payment, traffic signal priority for buses, and any other enhancement that increases bus speed or reliability.

§ 4. Section 1268 of the public authorities law is amended by adding a new subdivision 4 to read as follows: