The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Federal lawyers bark. The MTA stands firm. The U.S. DOT demands New York end congestion pricing by April 20. The state refuses. Threats fly. No action lands. Meanwhile, Manhattan streets see fewer crashes, faster buses, and more people on foot.

On April 9, 2025, federal lawyers told Judge Lewis Liman that the U.S. Department of Transportation still demands New York stop congestion pricing by April 20. The case, rooted in the MTA’s lawsuit against the feds, remains unresolved. The DOT’s attorney, Dominika Tarczynska, said, "The Department of Transportation maintains the position that New York City should stop charging tolls by April 20." MTA attorney Robert Kaplan countered, "Congestion pricing is in effect, we believe it's working, and ... we don't intend to turn it off unless there's an order from your honor." Governor Hochul and the MTA refuse to comply. The federal government threatens vague consequences but takes no concrete steps. The MTA’s November agreement with the Biden-era DOT did not allow for unilateral federal withdrawal. As the legal fight drags on, congestion pricing continues. Streets south of 60th Street see fewer crashes. Bus speeds rise. Foot traffic grows. Vulnerable road users benefit while politicians bicker.

• Feds Insist They’ll Find A Way To Enforce Fake 4/20 Congestion Pricing Deadline, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 8 - Community Board 3 backed the Canal Street open street, but hours got slashed. Residents packed the meeting. Supporters spoke of safety, space, and life without cars. Detractors cited noise and mess. The board voted 13-1 to keep the street open.

""In response to listening to our community, we ve made meaningful changes to the program over this year."" -- Charles Fall

On April 8, 2025, Manhattan Community Board 3 voted 13-1 to continue the Canal Street open street program, despite a reduction in its operating hours and days. The matter, discussed in the Transportation, Public Safety, Sanitation & Environment Committee, drew strong turnout. The meeting's summary: 'A large number of Lower Manhattan residents turned out to support the Canal Street open street, but organizers reduced the program's operating times in response to complaints from some residents.' Chairperson Vincent Cirrito said, 'This is an open space for our residents, for our kids... where they don’t have to worry about vehicles and cars.' Council Member Chris Marte and some residents pushed for further cutbacks, while others defended the open street as vital for safety, accessibility, and local business. The board sided with vulnerable road users, keeping two blocks of Canal Street open to people, not cars.

• Supporters of Open Street Come Out in Droves to Fight Canal Street Cutback, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-08

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 3 - A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Bridge. Two men, 61 and 79, suffered back injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal twisted. Shock followed. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

A taxi and a sedan crashed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Two men, ages 61 and 79, were injured, both suffering back injuries and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The impact struck the left front of the taxi and the right rear of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes lap belts were used by those injured. The crash highlights the persistent risk of driver distraction on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - Open Streets faces cuts. Federal funds are gone. Mayor Adams offers no city money. DOT warns of shrinking hours and scope. Council Member Krishnan blasts the move. Streets once safe for walkers and riders now risk return to cars. The future is uncertain.

On April 3, 2025, New York City’s Open Streets program entered crisis. The program, legislated by the City Council, lost its federal Covid funding. Mayor Adams has not allocated city funds. The Department of Transportation (DOT) says $5 million is needed to maintain current operations, but the Council’s preliminary budget omits this. DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch told advocates the agency is lobbying for replacement funds. Council Member Shekar Krishnan criticized the mayor’s stance, saying, “It’s deeply misguided to cut funds from the open street program, especially at this moment.” The City Comptroller’s office also faulted the administration for poor planning. The funding gap has already led to reduced hours and fewer open streets. Council members are pushing for restoration, but the program’s future hangs in the balance.

• Open Street Program in Jeopardy As Mayor Adams Is Not Funding It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased it, then left the wreck. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their Bronx precinct. They did not report the crash. Both are now suspended.

According to the NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V from the Bronx into Manhattan. The chase ended when the SUV crashed into a building near Dyckman St and burst into flames. The officers 'fled the scene,' leaving the driver, who died in the fire. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The officers did not report the incident and finished their shift. Both were suspended as the NYPD Force Investigation Division launched a probe. This crash comes after the NYPD tightened pursuit policies, now allowing chases only for felonies or violent misdemeanors. The department aims to avoid pursuits that 'lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police would instead use 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' to track suspects.

• Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 28 - A 70-year-old male bicyclist suffered facial abrasions after a collision on West Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, driver inattention was a key factor. The rider was conscious and not ejected, but injured seriously enough to be noted.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old male bicyclist was injured on West Street near Liberty Street in Manhattan at 12:25 PM. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to the face and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was operating the bike westbound, going straight ahead, and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report also notes a secondary contributing factor listed as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the primary cause remains the driver's distraction. The bike showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely minor in vehicle terms but significant enough to cause injury to the vulnerable rider. No safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, but this was not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - A sedan hit an 18-year-old woman crossing Park Row. Passenger distraction and debris played a role. She suffered a back bruise but stayed conscious. The car’s right front bumper struck her. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 2018 Ford sedan traveling north on Park Row in Manhattan struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained a back contusion and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists passenger distraction and obstruction or debris as contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. No damage was recorded to the vehicle. The driver was licensed. The report highlights passenger distraction and environmental obstruction as key factors in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802090 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 26 - DOT scraps waterfront promise. Bronx greenway will run on streets, not riverside. Seven miles of protected bike lanes, road diets. Advocates praise progress, mourn lost oasis. Cars still close. Bronx stays cut off from river. Public input ongoing.

On March 26, 2025, the Department of Transportation unveiled its plan for the Bronx portion of the Harlem River Greenway. The plan, not a council bill but a DOT action, covers a seven-mile route along Bailey Avenue, Sedgwick Avenue, Depot Place, Exterior Street, E. 135th Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Bruckner Boulevard. The DOT cited access issues with state and private landowners, abandoning Mayor Adams’s earlier promise of a true waterfront path. The official summary states: 'protected bike lanes on streets near the waterfront, rather than a true waterfront greenway.' Advocates like Chauncy Young and Laura Solis welcomed protected lanes but lamented the loss of a car-free riverside route. Mayor Adams claimed the project would help undo highway devastation in the Bronx. Still, the plan leaves vulnerable road users exposed to traffic, not shielded by water’s edge. Public workshops are ongoing.

• Off the Waterfront: Bronx Part of ‘Harlem River Greenway’ Will Be Bike Lanes on Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-26

Mar 25 - Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Hochul and Heastie to demand more federal cash for the MTA. They say New York carries the nation’s riders but gets shortchanged. Without funds, transit projects stall. Riders—millions—hang in the balance. The plea is blunt. The stakes are high.

On March 25, 2025, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, with Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, sent a letter to President Trump and federal officials. They called for increased federal funding for the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan, citing that New York’s transit system carries 43% of U.S. riders but receives only 17% of federal formula funds. The letter urges, 'Mass transit must be federally funded at a level commensurate to its importance.' Stewart-Cousins, mentioned as a key signatory, previously rejected the capital plan due to a $35 billion shortfall. The group asks for $14 billion in federal support, up from $13 billion in the last plan. The MTA warns that without this funding, critical infrastructure—power, signaling, accessibility—remains at risk. The request is urgent. The city’s transit future depends on it.

• Hochul pens letter Trump asking for more federal funding for the MTA amid ongoing congestion pricing lawsuit, amny.com, Published 2025-03-25

Mar 21 - Albany faces a $33.4-billion MTA gap. The Citizens Budget Commission urges deep cuts, fare hikes, and more city and state cash. Expansion projects like the Interborough Express may die. Riders risk worse service if lawmakers stall. The clock ticks.

On March 21, 2025, the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) released a warning about the MTA’s $33.4-billion capital budget gap for 2025–2029. The CBC recommends slashing $17 billion, scrapping expansion plans like the Interborough Express, and boosting city and state contributions by $9 billion. The CBC calls for a 6 percent hike in fares, tolls, and vehicle fees—higher than the planned 4 percent. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said tax hikes are on the table. Governor Hochul’s office backs a payroll tax hike, but the CBC wants it regionalized. The CBC’s Andrew Rein said, “We have to prioritize state-of-good-repair, basic modernization, and delay some of the system expansions.” The report warns that failing to fund maintenance will gut service, repeating past crises. No direct safety analysis was provided, but cuts threaten transit reliability for millions.

• Albany Running Out of Options to Close MTA Funding Gap: Watchdog, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-21

Mar 19 - Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19

Mar 15 - A 27-year-old male bicyclist suffered upper arm injuries after a sedan made an improper U-turn in Manhattan. The collision caused pain and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash at Water Street.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Water Street in Manhattan was making a U-turn when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling west. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was injured with an upper arm injury and experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the bike. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and no contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The crash highlights driver errors in maneuvering and attention leading to harm of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - A police cruiser swerved from a U-turning car and crashed into a building. Two officers went to the hospital. The street bore the scars. Metal, glass, brick—shattered. Sirens cut the air. The city’s danger showed, again.

ABC7 reported on March 15, 2025, that two NYPD officers crashed their cruiser into a building at Victory Boulevard and Montgomery Street in Staten Island. The officers were responding to a call about a man with a gun. According to the article, 'another vehicle attempted to make a U-turn, causing the police cruiser to swerve to avoid a collision.' Both officers were hospitalized and are expected to recover. The crash highlights the risks of sudden maneuvers and U-turns on busy city streets. No bystanders were reported injured. The incident underscores the persistent dangers posed by unpredictable driver actions and the high stakes of emergency response in dense urban environments.

• Police Cruiser Slams Into Staten Island Building, ABC7, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 14 - DOT admits failure. City missed legal targets for bus and bike lanes. Adams’s interference and staff cuts left streets unchanged. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price. The mayor’s words and actions stalled safety. The law sits ignored. Danger remains.

"Pearlstein said that the mayor has spent four years coming up with various reasons not to do one project after another when he should have been supporting his agency in the face of expected opposition. As a result, it's difficult to give Hizzoner a pass for falling short." -- Charles Fall

On March 14, 2025, the Department of Transportation released its annual report on the 2019 Streets Master Plan law. The report, required by the City Council, reveals the city missed mandates for protected bike lanes (29.3 of 50 miles) and bus lanes (17.9 of 30 miles) for the third year running. The matter summary states: 'New York City has failed to meet legally required benchmarks for redesigning streets for bikes, buses, and pedestrians due to a lack of resources and political interference.' Mayor Eric Adams is named as the main obstacle. The report cites staff shortages, shrinking divisions, and political pushback—especially the mayor’s role in killing the Fordham Road busway. Former DOT commissioner Polly Trottenberg warned the plan needed more funding and a new approach. Advocates and officials say Adams’s lack of support left the city’s most vulnerable road users exposed. The law’s promise is broken. The streets stay deadly.

• DOT Report Reveals How Eric Adams Kneecapped Progress on Bus and Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-14

Mar 13 - A 79-year-old woman crossing Murray Street with the signal was struck by a van making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and showed inattention. The pedestrian suffered abdominal and pelvic contusions but remained conscious.

According to the police report, at 11:40 AM on Murray Street near North End Avenue, a 79-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2019 Ford van, driven by a licensed male from New Jersey, made a left turn and struck her with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report cites the van driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the abdomen and pelvis but remained conscious. The van showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. This crash highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness as key causes of harm to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799281 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 12 - Lawmakers push new taxes to plug the MTA’s $35 billion gap. Riders face higher costs for packages and rideshares. The capital plan hangs in limbo. Transit leaders warn: without cash, the system crumbles. Riders and advocates rage at more fees.

On March 12, 2025, New York State lawmakers unveiled a budget proposal to fund the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan, which faces a $35 billion shortfall. The plan, discussed in both Senate and Assembly one-house budgets, suggests new taxes: fees on online deliveries, higher payroll mobility taxes, and more surcharges on rideshare trips. The matter summary reads: 'Taxes to back the MTA? That is what some New York lawmakers are proposing.' Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is mentioned as a key figure. Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie previously rejected the MTA’s $68.4 billion plan last December over funding gaps. The proposal has sparked public anger, with advocates and riders decrying more taxes. MTA chair Janno Lieber insists full funding is essential to keep trains and buses running safely. The bill’s safety impact for vulnerable road users is not assessed.

• NYS proposes more taxes on New Yorkers to fund the MTA, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 6 - A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

Mar 4 - Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight truck crossings on the BQE by 60%. Councilmember Lincoln Restler backs the tech and calls for state lawmakers to extend the program. The city wants expansion before the enabling law expires. DOT hails the results.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) urged state lawmakers to extend the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, overweight truck crossings on the Queens-bound BQE dropped from 7,920 daily to about 3,041 per month—a 60% reduction. The sensors are set to expand to the Staten Island-bound side this year. Restler said, "Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE." The Department of Transportation and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the program's impact and called it a potential national model. With the authorizing law set to expire, city officials are pressing Albany to extend and expand the program.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-04