it's not like the freight tunnel would ease traffic in manhattan; it would merely ease traffic into the greater metro area. which might ironically lead to more traffic because of perception by both commercial and residential drivers that there was going to be less truck traffic everywhere.

I mentioned that $100 mill. grant earlier, but it's likely just to go down the toilet as neither the governors of NY and NJ have any interest in building a freight tunnel, Bloomberg is actually against it, and the grant is just for the study and design of such a tunnel. Actual construction would probably run about $7 billion. Unless Rep. Nadler assumes Moses-like powers (Robert and the Bible guy) right quick, the harbor's a body of water that won't be getting newly crossed anytime soon.

Strangely, one of the biggest budget items that could really have an impact on truck traffic through Manhattan has been overlooked. The bill granted $100m for a rail link between NJ and NY. This would remove a majority of the trucks that use the GW bridge and Tappan Zee.

I agree with non trucker. Also, tourist busses should be banned, let those fat fuckers walk. not only will that eliminate the enormous traffic-clogging diesel-fumes-spewing busses from the streets, the tourists, being forced to walk, will spend more money in stores.

Okay, but what about all the garbage trucks that do pick-ups at night and in the early morning? I'm sure people complain but would they rather have a mound of garbage in front of their apt? I think people would get used to it since many places where trucks need to go are not that densely residential. If only to cut out the traffic I think people could buy some ear plugs and suck it up. The city is noisy at night anyway.

Because truck deliveries are loud. Do you want a bunch of irate NYers telling them they were woken up at 3AM due to loud truck deliveries? Seriously NonTrucker, that wasn't so hard to find a reason, right?

what about tax incentives for sneakers for pedestrians who dislike both bike riders and drivers? what about us? will someone think of the walking children?

Here's what you need to do:

1. Place tolls on all East River bridges from 6am to 7pm going into Manhattan Mondays through Friday.

2. Place a toll at 125th street for anyone trying to drive south. This will decrease congestino in Southern Manhattan. Between the bridges and this toll, it will be similar to London's Commuter/COngestino Toll. It will also force delivery trucks to come early or later.

3.Separate out stationary cones/fencing for bus lanes on busy streets (42nd street, Houston Street, Lexington, Broadway, pretty much anywhere where express buses are anything but). For anyone who drives or parks there, the fine will be $500, and you'll be towed. Cops, firetrucks and ambulances could also use these.

4. Better bike lanes on major avenues (Lafayette's lane is nice). Alot of the bike lanes are better than you'd think - I ride them all the time, but the the problem is people park on them ALL the time, including cops. I'd say fix this by increasing fines, but cops are the worst violators.

5. I also think there should be an annual fee for owning a car in New York City of $200/car. Make it ax-deductible for business owners who need vans, etc. Also, make cabs exempt for this.

All of this would generate significant funds to imprve the roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, etc.

Can I have my 5 million dollars now?

I have never understood why they can't make truck deliveries (anything bigger than a van) illegal during the day. They can have from eight pm to five am to make their runs with the day light hours for cars, buses and vans only. Makes sense to me...

Of course this is chump change compared to the $100 million headed to the Port Authority for the design and engineering of a cross-harbor freight tunnel. That's a lot of dough for the study and design of a project the PA doesn't even want to undertake.

What is Bloomberg going to do to crack down on aggressive drivers who threaten and/or kill people on bikes? This is one of the major deterents to biking in the city.

"Plus $5 million to study problem areas"

they need $5 million to figure out that the mta sucks?

This city is in serious need of better bike paths, particularly cross-town and along the East side. I'd bike to work and back if I could avoid the constant threat of sideswipes.

I just back from Stockholm and loved the urban bikepath network they've built there. It can be done.

I waited freakin' 20 minutes for a V train this morning, and was almost 15 minutes late to work as a result, but the government will only give money to make the roads better for the jerk drivers who nearly run me over every day? Great!

Can we please say "encourage" instead of "incentivize"?