NYC DOT CMAQ projects Delayed

Transportation Alternatives (T.A.) reports that the New York City Department of Transportation has received approvals for $800,000 in federal funding for a community-based projects fund to enable NYC neighborhoods to identify and implement measures to relieve local traffic

congestion. But even though the first $400,000 was approved over two years ago, NYC DOT has not issued one dime to any neighborhood or community board, nor even issued a request for proposals to the fund. Reportedly, up to half of the project budget has been allocated to

administrative costs at the DOT, which has been hit hard by City budget cuts. T.A.'s NYC DOT Hall of Shame report also noted the expenditure of $1.8 million on a project entitled Voluntary Entry by License Plate, which will publish materials asking area motorists to voluntarily forego driving

in the city on a specified day of the week, depending on license plate number. T.A. implied the project would have zero effect, said that no work was evident on the project thus far and labeled it a dubious staff-padding scheme. (Auto-Free Press)