Governor Cuomo Announces Opening of Robert F. Kennedy Bridge Connection to Harlem River Drive

 

Project Being Completed One Month Ahead of Original Schedule Amidst Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic 

New Route Projected to Avert 2,500 Tons of Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Saving Daily Commuters Nine Hours a Year in Driving Time 

Photos of the Completed Bridge Connection Here

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of a new ramp connecting the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to the Harlem River Drive, ending a detour through East Harlem streets that has persisted for more than 62 years since the Harlem River Drive's initial segment was opened in 1958. 

The design build project, led by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was originally expected to take 15 months to build and as a result of aggressive project management, contractors are completing the project one month ahead of schedule, compressing to just 14 months. The MTA projects the ramp will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in East Harlem by more than 2,500 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions per year, helping to ease pressure on community childhood asthma rates. 

"It is almost unbelievable that a bridge of this magnitude, one of the busiest crossings in the country, wasn't already connected to a major highway like Harlem River Drive," Governor Cuomo said. "Despite the barriers of COVID-19, New York State is building back better for our future. Not only was this project completed ahead of time, but this new bridge connection will improve safety and traffic flow for travelers, as well as provide a higher quality of life in the surrounding community by reducing noise, traffic and air pollution." 

Before the ramp's opening, drivers on the RFK looking to travel North onto the Harlem River Drive - which leads to the George Washington Bridge - had to exit the bridge between 125th and 126th Streets, travel northbound on Second Avenue, then merge onto an on-ramp next to the community playground.  The parallel direct southbound connection from the Harlem River Drive onto the RFK Bridge has been in place since the Harlem River Drive's southern segment opened in February 1958. 

The new route is encompassed by a gently graded 1,400-foot-long ramp supported by 17 vertical concrete piers that carry motorists over 50 feet of height above ground. The new ramp conforms with all modern design standards. Motorists will find a new right-hand exit branching off from the Manhattan-bound span of the bridge. The route rises slightly to clear the Willis Avenue Bridge before gently trending downward until touching down in the left lane of the Harlem River Drive, geographically just north of the northern end of Second Avenue.  

President of MTA Construction and Development Janno Lieber said, "This project shows how - as Governor Cuomo has advocated for some time -- aggressive project management and design-build contracting can allow us to complete major construction projects months ahead of schedule. MTA C & D has gotten a huge amount of work done in the past six months -always with COVID-safe work practices. But the pandemic has wreaked havoc with MTA finances and slowed our rollout of the historic 2020-24 Capital Program. We need the Federal government to finally step up and provide $12 billion in emergency relief to get the MTA through 2020 and 2021 and allow us to continue the improvements we're delivering for the entire MTA system." 

The new ramp, takes motorists high above First Avenue, the Harlem River Drive and Willis Avenue Bridge and is projected to save 17,000 motorists a day an average of over 3 minutes during peak travel times daily, adding up to 150,000 hours per year of total travel time savings, or nine hours a year for a daily commuter pre-pandemic. It was made possible by close coordination between the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation, which recently realigned the Harlem River Drive to improve traffic flow at the exit to Second Avenue

The project was being overseen by MTA Construction & Development in tandem with MTA Bridges and Tunnels, which owns, operates and maintains the RFK Bridge. The MTA coordinated the work and engineering closely with the New York State Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Within days of the COVID global pandemic hitting the New York region, MTA construction sites - which were allowed to stay operational as essential services - implemented a broad range of safety measures that kept the sites active and safe. MTA C&D mobilized quickly to identify the necessary precautions, and collaborated with contractors to implement them consistently.

The MTA partnered with the New York City Department of Transportation to expedite and cost effectively deliver this project. The two agencies have coordinated to ensure the alignment of the DOT's original design for the Harlem River Drive reconstruction project would be able to accommodate the construction of the new connector ramp. For example, the RFK ramp is built on some of the support piers that were part of the DOT's recent reconstruction of the Harlem River Drive. 

The work was performed under a $48 million design-build contract by Judlau Contracting and was funded through MTA Bridges and Tunnel's 2015-2019 Capital Plan. Heavy construction work began in February. 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Absent from the photos is NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

MAYOR DE BLASIO PROVIDES ECONOMIC UPDATE AND RELEASES NOVEMBER FINANCIAL PLAN

 

“Federal stimulus works, and New York City needs another, immediately.” – Mayor de Blasio

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today provided an economic update and released New York City’s November Financial Plan Update for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21).

“Today’s figures make one thing clear: Federal stimulus works, and New York City needs another, immediately,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “From ramping up testing to investing in safe schools to feeding everyone in need, our priorities are clear: public health will drive our recovery. The federal government must do its part and pass a stimulus package that ensures our recovery can continue full speed ahead."

 

Economic Update:

In February, New York City had a record low unemployment rate (3.4%) and 4.7 million jobs. In March and April, as the first wave of the pandemic struck and shutdowns began, the city lost approximately 900,000 jobs. From May to October, New York City recovered approximately 300,000 jobs, or one third of jobs lost in March and April. The unemployment rate as of October was 13.2%, down from 20.3% in June.                                                                                                                                    

Federal fiscal stimulus has been critical to the recovery of both New Yorkers and New York City. Expiration of the stimulus, as well as the rapid spread of the virus, threatens the recovery. From April to September, New Yorkers received approximately $40 billion in stimulus benefits, including stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and Paycheck Protection Program loans to employers. But the benefits of stimulus are running out and private sector job growth is slowing: New York City's private sector gained 100,000 jobs in June, but only 15,000 in October.

 

November Plan:

 

Based on initial federal stimulus and its impact on revenue, the FY21 budget is now $92.0 billion and remains balanced. The budget includes the recognition of $3.2 billion in federal funds, $2.8 billion of which is COVID-19 related ($1.5 billion FEMA grants, $1.3 billion stimulus), and critical investments in school reopening and COVID-19 related programs.

 

The Plan achieves $1.3 billion in savings across Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022, and budget reserves are at $2.8 billion.

 

Budget growth is driven by FEMA reimbursable costs and other federal COVID-19 relief grant funding that the City used to save lives and keep New Yorkers healthy and safe, including:

• Enhancing testing and contact tracing efforts of the City's Test & Trace Corps
• Purchasing life-saving medical equipment, ventilators, cleaning supplies, and PPE for medical providers and first responders, and funding testing
• Ensuring no New Yorker goes hungry by providing food relief through GetFood NYC.  At its peak over 1.5 million meals were distributed every single day, with well over 140 million meals total since late March

 

The City avoided deeper declines in tax revenue collections over the first quarter of FY21 because of the beneficial effects of the first rounds of federal stimulus, which included unemployment benefits, tax rebate checks, and business loans.  Specifically, the Budget recognizes $748 million in better than expected collections, primarily in personal income tax and business taxes.

 

The budget gap for FY22 is now $3.8 billion and must be balanced in the upcoming Preliminary Budget.

 

$1.3 Billion in Savings

The Administration has remained focused on savings and achieved $983 million in debt service savings over, $224 million in agency savings, and $116 million in central savings over Fiscal years 2021 and 2022.

 

Labor Savings

The City has reached $722 million in labor savings in FY21. These funds are not included within the two-year savings plan.

 

New City Spending

New City spending of $767 million in FY21 and $10 million in FY22 is offset by $1.3 billion in savings across those same years and supports investments in school reopening and COVID-19 related programs. FY21 investments include: 

 

Making Sure New Yorkers Have Access to Food

 

• City funded portion of the emergency food delivery program ($113 million)

 

Maximizing Learning Opportunities and Keeping Students and Staff Safe

 

• Add funding to support staffing needs to enhance and increase in-person learning capacity ($80 million)
• Provide COVID-19 related needs for schools citywide including cleaning supplies, PPE, barriers, air purifiers, and signage ($80 million)

• Establish the Learning Bridges Program which supports childcare and early education services provided by non-profits and DOE operated programs ($45 million)
• Establish a situation room to increase DOE’s capacity to monitor, track, coordinate and respond to COVID-19 related incidents ($10 million)

 

Promoting a Fair and Equitable Recovery

 

• Outreach to promote commercial lease legal assistance for small businesses that face the challenge of staying in their neighborhoods ($1.5 million)

• Support programs that will increase participation of Black and Latinx entrepreneurs in government contracting by providing consulting, mentoring, and networking opportunities ($1.8 million)

 

Helping More New Yorkers Access Mental Health Support

 

• Additional funding to cover the increase in call volume received by NYC Well so all New Yorkers in need have access to free, confidential, and multilingual 24/7/365 mental health support ($7.5 million)

 

Read the November Financial Plan Update here.

 

Raise a Seltzer for Beltzer

 

We normally don't do this for political candidates, but this man is going to need all the gas he can get.

Dear Friends, I wanted to thank all those who have supported this campaign so far. We have been able to connect and support the community in several ways thanks to your support. As we move forward into this second wave and holiday season, we will be working directly with the community to meet material conditions while empowering our neighbors to stand up and fight for what they've earned.  I also want to invite you to my 35th birthday toast and roast of me! Raise a Seltzer for Beltzer! will be hosted by Roman "The FunnyLatino" Suarez on Zoom and people are encouraged to bring their favorite hard seltzer! More information and tickets are available by clicking below. Yours in Service,

Bronx County Chair Jamaal T. Bailey hosts Rally for 12th Council District Candidate Kevin Riley

 

Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey brought out a large group of elected officials from the Bronx and other boroughs led by New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, State Senators Brian Benjamin, Kevin Parker, and Zellnor Myrue, Bronx Assembly members and Assembly members elect, many Bronx District Leaders, Bronx Councilman (and undeclared Bronx Borough President candidate) Rafael Salamanca, and three mayoral hopefuls, Current NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, Maya Wiley, and Shaun Donavan, for a show of support to the favorite candidate in the upcoming December 22nd Special Election to replace former Councilman Andy King who was expelled from the City Council on October 5th. 

Speeches of support for current District Leader Kevin Riley to replace Andy King ranged from knowing candidate Riley from when he was a little kid, to having him as a valued member of Assemblyman Carl Heastie's office. Those speaking were New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assembly members Diana Richardson and Michael Benedetto, and the candidate Kevin Riley, who was so taken back by the outpouring of support for him that tears prevented him from starting his thank you speech. 

There are two other candidates in the December 22nd special election. They are Pamela Hamilton Brown (who has run against former Councilman Andy King), and Neville Mitchell. Early voting begins on Saturday December 12th and runs through Sunday December 20th. The hours for each day can be found on the Board of Elections site, along with information on the application for an absentee ballot. https://vote.nyc/page/12th-city-council-special-election-bronx.

Above - New York State Attorney General Letitia James with candidate Kevin Riley.

Below - Bronx Democratic County Leader State Senator Jamaal Bailey talks of his friendship with, and why he thinks candidate Kevin Riley is the best choice.

Above - New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks about why she endorses Candidate Kevin Riley for City Council.

Below - Candidate Kevin Riley speaks after overcoming tears from the huge showing of support for his candidacy.

Above - Mayoral candidate Maya Wiley gets a few words in with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.

Below - A group photo of the attendees who came to show their support for the candidacy of Kevin Riley in the December 22nd Special Election for the 12th City Council seat.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 22, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.39 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.29 Percent      

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.74 Percent 

30 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday 

 The post-holiday increase is purely a function of what we do and New Yorkers have already proven their toughness, but as Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaches, we need to stay the course. Governor Cuomo.

"Between now and January, there will be increased social interaction, and the consequence, I believe, will be an increase in the rate of cases. The only question of how much and how fast is up to you," Governor Cuomo said. "You can change what you do, and you can change how your community acts. We have several communities across the state in the warning track to yellow zones or become red or orange zones this week and while a vaccine is expected to come in December or January, we cannot let our guard down. The vaccine will be first distributed for high-need populations, but it will be six months at a minimum before it is widely available, so we simply cannot afford six months of a sustained increase in cases. The post-holiday increase is purely a function of what we do and New Yorkers have already proven their toughness, but as Thanksgiving and the holiday season approaches, we need to stay the course. If we all continue to wash our hands, wear our masks and avoid gatherings, we will be able to keep our infection rate down and keep New Yorkers safe."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.39 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.29 percent. Within the focus areas, 42,198 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 1,853 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 154,410 test results were reported, yielding 3,538 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 2,562 (+119)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 391
• Hospital Counties - 52
• Number ICU - 502 (+35)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 234 (+22)
• Total Discharges - 83,307 (+276)
• Deaths - 30
• Total Deaths - 26,357

Two Individuals Charged In Connection With Armed Robberies

 

 Audrey Strauss, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging VICTOR RIVERA, 29, and MICHOLS PENA, 38, with conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and firearms offenses.  RIVERA and PENA were arrested on this morning.  PENA was arrested in Queens and will be presented early next week before United States Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein. RIVERA was arrested in Miami and will be presented early next week before United States Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres in the Southern District of Florida. This case is assigned to United States District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As alleged in the Indictment, the defendants are charged in connection with a violent robbery conspiracy.  In one of the robberies a victim was shot.  Thanks to the outstanding work of the Special Agents of our office and cooperation across multiple law enforcement agencies, the defendants now face federal charges for their crimes.  We especially want to thank the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance in this matter.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:

From at least in or about June 2020 up to and including November 2020, VICTOR RIVERA, MICHOLS PENA, and others known and unknown, agreed to commit robberies in which the objects of the robberies were Richard Mille watches worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the watches were owned by businesses transacting in interstate commerce.  RIVERA participated in an armed robbery on June 11, 2020, in which the victim was shot.  RIVERA also participated in an armed robbery on August 2, 2020.

RIVERA and PENA are charged with conspiring to commit Hobbs Act robbery; this count carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison. RIVERA is further charged with two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, each of which carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years in prison; aiding and abetting the use, carrying, and possession of a firearm, which firearm was brandished and discharged in furtherance of a crime of violence, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison, and a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed; and using, carrying, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which firearm was brandished, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the New York City Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Englewood Cliffs Police Department, the Weehawken Police Department, and the Nassau County Police Department.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, the description of the Indictment, and the statements made in related court filings and proceedings set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Cuomo Calls on Congress to Renew and Expand Critical Support Programs for Unemployed Americans Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

 

As Country Enters Holiday Season and Faces Another COVID Surge, Federal Programs Set to Expire 

Governor Cuomo: "Congress moved decisively this spring to address the economic impacts of the pandemic and should once again take action before the calendar year ends to bring badly needed support to millions of struggling Americans." 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today called on Congress to renew and expand federal support programs for unemployed Americans — many of which have expired or will end just days after Christmas. The programs provide critical benefits for millions of American families that have faced unemployment as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including supplemental benefits for individuals and support for local and state governments. The Governor sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to act quickly as states across the country face another surge of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths while millions of Americans remain unemployed.

"The pandemic has not just impacted Americans' health -- it has also created an unprecedented economic crisis. As we enter the holiday season, and as states once again enact stronger measures to stop COVID, critical federal unemployment benefits are about to expire. Inaction from Washington is putting millions of Americans' financial security at risk," Governor Cuomo said. "Congress moved decisively this spring to address the economic impacts of the pandemic and should once again take action before the calendar year ends to bring badly needed support to millions of struggling Americans."

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, New York State has paid more than $55 billion in unemployment benefits to 3.8 million New Yorkers — which represents more than 26 typical years' worth of benefits. Nationwide, more than 20 million Americans are currently receiving unemployment benefits, including 12 million covered by programs that will expire on December 31, 2020. In New York, that includes 1.2 million current claims from New Yorkers receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which provides benefits for freelancers, self-employed workers, and others who do not typically qualify for traditional unemployment benefits, and 682,000 claims from individuals who are receiving 13 additional weeks of benefits under the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program after exhausting the 26 weeks of traditional benefits.

The full letter is available below:

Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader Schumer, and Minority Leader McCarthy:

As you are well aware, the coronavirus has continued to spread across the country, with the United States entering what appears to be another surge of infections this fall. While disturbing, this increase is not surprising — experts told us that as temperatures fell, cases would increase, and those predictions have unfortunately come true.

The physical toll of the pandemic is well known: 12 million Americans have been infected and more than 250,000 have lost their lives. 

But the pandemic has not just impacted Americans' health — it has also created an unprecedented economic crisis with unheard of levels of unemployment across the nation. Since March, more than 68 million Americans have filed unemployment claims, representing over 42 percent of the nation's workforce. Last week, the number of newly filed claims nationwide grew by 31,000, representing the first week-over-week increase after four weeks of decreasing claims.

Unlike the federal government's response to the virus itself, Congress moved decisively this spring to address the economic impacts of the pandemic — supplying Americans with federally-funded stimulus checks, supplemental unemployment benefits, and benefits for freelancers, the self-employed, and others who are not typically covered by traditional unemployment insurance.

However, as we enter the holiday season — and as states once again enact stronger measures to stop the surge in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths — Washington's inaction is putting millions of Americans' financial security at risk. 

When the CARES Act was passed in March, roughly 10 million Americans had filed for unemployment benefits during the pandemic — today, that number has increased by nearly 600%. At the time, the nation had only faced two weeks with unemployment claims above the pre-pandemic high of 695,000. Now, we have surpassed that level for 35 weeks straight.

Yet despite this worsening economic picture, many critical support programs that were put in place earlier this year have already expired and the few remaining ones are set to expire just days after Christmas. This is simply unacceptable and must be rectified.

The Senate and House must work to renew and expand federal unemployment benefits for Americans while supporting the state governments that are implementing these programs and disbursing the benefits. 

The following programs should be extended or renewed through the end of the federal Fiscal Year 2021:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)— This program, which is set to expire on December 31, 2020, allows freelancers, self-employed individuals, and others who are not typically eligible for unemployment insurance to receive 46 weeks of federal benefits. As of the latest US DOL data, nearly 8.7 million Americans are currently receiving benefits under PUA.
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)— This program, which is also set to expire on December 31, 2020, provides an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment benefits to Americans who have exhausted state unemployment insurance. As of the latest US DOL data, nearly 4.4 million Americans are currently receiving benefits under PEUC.
• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)— Created by the CARES Act, this program provided federal supplemental benefits of $600 per week to all unemployed Americans. After expiring in late July, this program was temporarily replaced with the Lost Wages Assistance program, which failed to adequately address the continuing needs of the American public, while causing more administrative work for states.
• Federal Support for Shared Work— Shared work programs allow employers to keep staff partially-employed while still cutting costs. Rather than laying off their staff, a business is able to reduce all workers' hours, with unemployment benefits replacing some or all of their lost wages. To encourage use of these programs, the federal government fully funded states' shared work programs, but this support is set to expire on December 31, 2020.
• Reimbursements for Local Government, Non-profit, and Tribal Employers— Recognizing the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic on local governments, non-profit organizations, and tribal nations, the federal government agreed to reimburse half of unemployment benefits these employers paid out. That support is due to expire on December 31, 2020, putting further strain on organizations that are already struggling to stay afloat and provide needed services during this crisis.
• Support for State Unemployment Insurance Trust Funds— Due to the unprecedented surge in unemployment insurance claims, states across the country have exhausted their unemployment insurance trust funds. Earlier this year, the Federal government allowed states to borrow to replenish their trust funds interest-free. Starting next year, those loans will begin accruing interest — even as unemployment levels remain at critically high levels. All states should be allowed to continue borrowing for their unemployment insurance trust funds without accruing interest next year. Further, the federal government must recognize the impact repaying these loans will have on businesses, especially already-struggling small businesses, and fully forgive all loans.
• Cost-Sharing for Unemployment Insurance Administrative Costs— Every state's unemployment insurance system has been tested by the pandemic response, and many state departments of labor have implemented multiple new federal programs using decades-old technology. The Federal government has so far paid half of these administrative costs — that should increase to 100 percent reimbursement, but at the bare minimum this cost sharing must continue. Failing to do so will significantly harm states' abilities to support unemployed workers.

The United States of America's economy remains in crisis. More than 20 million of our neighbors received some form of unemployment benefits during the week ending October 31st — over thirteen times the number receiving benefits this time last year.

Not extending these programs — which can largely be accomplished by passing the unemployment and workforce provisions of H.R. 925, the HEROES Act — is akin to abandoning millions of Americans in their time of need. Congress must take action before the calendar year ends, and anything less would be an abdication of your duty.

I look forward to your immediate attention to these matters.

Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor, New York State

Chair, National Governors Association 

Norwood Turkey Giveaway Farewell For Councilman Andrew Cohen