Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Governor Cuomo Announces New Efforts to Increase Highway Safety and Prevent Low-Bridge Strikes by Trucks

 

$3.8 Million Bridge Replacement in Albany County Includes Safety Upgrades Such as Higher Clearance for Highway Traffic and Widened Bridge Shoulders

Project Completed Within Budget and One Month Ahead of Schedule

Governor Also Launches Enforcement and Education Campaign to Prevent Trucks From Striking Low Bridges

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the completion of the $3.8 million bridge replacement project of the Old State Road Bridge over the NYS Thruway (I-90) in Albany County. The project, which began in March, was completed within budget and a month ahead of schedule for the approximately 5,300 vehicles which utilize the Old State Road Bridge each day. Since 2016, the Thruway Authority's capital program has supported the replacement or rehabilitation of 133 bridges across its 570-mile system.

Additionally, to prevent future bridge strikes, the Governor directed the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to launch a collaborative enforcement and education effort that will take place from Monday, November 9, through Sunday, November 15. New York State averages about 220 bridge strikes per year, resulting in the potential for injury for the truck driver and nearby motorists, costly repairs to the bridge itself, and substantial traffic disruptions. There have been more than 1,100 bridge strikes on New York roadways since 2015.

"While maintaining strong, safe transportation infrastructure is critical for keeping our roadways safe, it's also an important piece in growing local economies and this is why New York has made the strengthening of bridges and roadways a top priority," Governor Cuomo said. "Not only does the new Old State Road Bridge improve the safety and reliability of the Thruway, but by increasing its clearance, we are helping prevent troublesome traffic delays which impact travel and commerce. When you combine this progress along with our new enforcement and education initiative, New York is taking a proactive approach towards improving safety for all those who travel our roads." 

The overpass bridge, located between Exit 24 (Albany - I-87) and Exit 25 (Schenectady - I-890), had been subject to numerous over-height truck hits throughout the past several years causing traffic disruptions on the Thruway mainline. The new bridge height will prevent similar incidents in the future with an increased clearance of 16 feet, 6 inches for traffic traveling on the NYS Thruway (I-90). 

The bridge was constructed using 260,000 pounds of American-made structural steel and its new driving surface and approaches utilized 1,000 cubic yards of concrete, as well as 1,000 tons of asphalt. To further strengthen safety, wider travel lanes and shoulders, and new safety guiderails were implemented. 

DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder, said, "Bridge strikes not only tie up traffic and damage vehicles, but they can also compromise the safety of our infrastructure. We support the efforts of our partners in law enforcement and at DOT and are committed to educating drivers about how to safely navigate New York's bridges and tunnels."

Since 2013, the New York State Department of Transportation has participated in a regional Bridge Strike Task Force in the Hudson Valley. Because of this multi-agency effort, NYSDOT added new signage and pavement markings along the Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, Cross County and Sprain Brook parkways and ramp entrances.  Over-height vehicle detection systems have been installed at multiple locations across New York State. `

New fines and penalties for those driving commercial vehicles on New York State parkways went into effect September 3, 2020.  Penalties for commercial vehicles on parkways are broken down by weight class, and there are also penalties for over-height vehicles.  The maximum fines and penalties are as follows:

Less than 10,000 pounds:

  • First violation - $250 and/or 15 days in jail
  • Second violation within 18 months - $500 and/or 45 days in jail
  • Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $750 and/or 90 days in jail

Between 10,000 and 26,000 pounds:

  • First violation - $350 and/or 15 days in jail
  • Second violation within 18 months - $700 and/or 45 days in jail
  • Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $1,000 and/or 90 days

 Over 26,000 pounds:

  • First violation - $700 and/or 15 days in jail
  • Second violation within 18 months - $1,500 and/or 45 days in jail
  • Third or subsequent violation within 18 months - $2,000 and/or 90 days in jail

New fines and penalties for over height vehicles are as follows:

  • First offense - $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail

Second or subsequent offense - $2,000 and/or 60 days in jail

Monday, November 9, 2020

Claremont Village - Back to School Giveaway and More Nov. 14th 2 - 6 PM

 



Kossuth Playground Ribbon Cutting


Friday was the Ribbon Cutting for the new Kossuth  Playground located on Mosholu Parkway North at Kossuth Avenue. Councilman and newly elected State Supreme Court Justice Andrew Cohen, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Bronx Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Assembly members Jeffrey Dinowitz and Nathalia Fernandez, and the Friends of Mosholu Parkway were on hand for the event.

There are new amenities such as a giant swing, adult exercise equipment, various water sprinklers, new basketball courts, new tables and seats, with one table that is wheelchair accessible. 



Above - The Giant swing being tested out.

Below - Assembly members Dinowitz and Fernandez talk while Councilman Cohen tries out one of the many adult exercise units.





Above - More Adult exercise equipment in another area of the playground.

Below - The brand new basketball courts.






Above - The wheelchair accessible game table.

Below - The new Multi sprinkler system.





Lastly, The Ribbon Cutting.


Bronx Jewish Community Council - SAVE THE DATE: PROJECT HOPE CHANUKAH

 

SAVE THE DATE
for the
Project H.O.P.E. Chanukah Distribution

Sunday December 6, 2020 9-11:30 AM

We are looking for volunteers to come to:

2157 Holland Ave, Bronx, NY 10462

and/or

95 Gale Place (Community Room #9), 
Bronx, NY 10463  

Packages will be delivered safely, while 
following social distance guidelines.

*In order to volunteer you must either call 
or email Niti Minkove to sign up at 
917-693-3084 or


Share the joy of the holidays by bringing along  
friends and family to deliver 3-5 Chanukah packages 
to lonely, home-bound or needy Jewish elderly!


  Whether or not you are able to come, you can always help by sponsoring a package for only $25
   
For groups, questions or to deliver to a particular 
senior contact Niti Minkove, Director of Volunteers 
at 
nminkove@bjcconline.org or Cell: (917) 693-3084
 

Like us on Facebook  View on Instagram       

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - NOVEMBER 8, 2020

 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's micro-cluster strategy is 3.72 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.23 percent. Within the focus areas, 11,672 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 435 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 133,970 test results were reported, yielding 2,993 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Patient Hospitalization - 1,396 (+15)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 185 
  • Hospital Counties - 46
  • Number ICU - 295 (-13)
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 131 (-7)
  • Total Discharges - 80,646 (+152)
  • Deaths - 18
  • Total Deaths - 25,947

Landscaping Needed at 2500 Williamsbridge Road

 


The bushes around 2500 Williamsbridge Road need to be trimmed a bit as they now cover most of the sidewalk. They are also over six feet high, and have not been manicured since the building was bought in February of 2020. 

The community around 2500 Williamsbridge Road also want to know what the buyer is going to do with the building as nothing has been done except some interior work which may include the movement of walls. 

Below - A flyer taped to a window by someone in the community, warns that a drug clinic will open up on the site. That has to be approved by OASIS a state agency. Now that election day has passed we will keep an eye on the site for any development.


 

Sunday, November 8, 2020

Speed Bumps in Parking Spaces Underneath Cars Now on Lydig Avenue

 


The above photo was taken at the corner of Lydig Avenue and Holland Avenue South side of the street, because Holland Avenue is one way south. You can notice the new speed bump set in to slow down vehicles as they turn left from Lydig Avenue onto Holland Avenue going through the crosswalk. What you may not see is the speed bump that has been placed in the legal parking space that can barely be seen under the parked car. That can only mean one thing, that the legal corner parking space will be removed so that the hidden speed bump will be able to be seen. 


Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - November 7, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 4.22 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 2.01 Percent     

Statewide Positivity Rate is 2.19 Percent

18 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Cases are increasing across the country and the globe -- and there are several warning flags in New York. The challenge for our state has been to manage the increase and try to ensure the spikes in other states don't impact us too much," Governor Cuomo said. "We manage the increase by deploying the most aggressive testing in the country and our micro-cluster strategy - when we identify a small spread, we increase enforcement and restrictions in a targeted way. As we head into winter months, it's going to take the work of all New Yorkers to ensure we don't go back to where we were this spring - I understand COVID fatigue is real, but it's on all of us to stay vigilant and wear our masks, wash our hands, remain socially distant and stay New York Tough."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 4.22 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 2.01 percent. Within the focus areas, 13,488 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 569 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 149,803 test results were reported, yielding 3,018 positives.

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

  • Patient Hospitalization - 1,381 (+60)
  • Patients Newly Admitted - 213
  • Hospital Counties - 43
  • Number ICU - 308 (+23)
  • Number ICU with Intubation - 138 (+9)
  • Total Discharges - 80,494 (+126)
  • Deaths - 18
  • Total Deaths - 25,928