Borelli And Lanza Pass West Shore Expressway Bill

Bill is Borelli’s first piece of legislation of his tenure

June 24, 2013

Assemblyman Joe Borelli (R,C,I-South Shore) had his first prime-sponsored piece of legislation pass the Assembly last night. Assembly Bill 07131 would authorize the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a study into the feasibility of extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane from the Staten Island Expressway (SIE) south along the West Shore Expressway (WSE). The latter was planned by Robert Moses in 1930 as a two- to three- lane highway for access of the South Shore in conjunction with 2 others – the Willowbrook Parkway and Shorefront Drive. Service roads were intended to flank the WSE for its entire length.

“The highway network that Robert Moses designed would have worked if realized,” said Assemblyman Borelli. “As we know, the service roads, the Willowbrook Parkway, and Shorefront Drive were never built. DOT should have been taking advantage of the third lane design features in the 1980s when the West Shore’s ultimate capacity of 65,000 cars per day was surpassed.”

With over 93,000 vehicles per day, the WSE has the most cars of any two-lane highway in New York City. No study for this idea has ever been undertaken and must be done before any project could start.

“It isn’t as simple as just paving an additional lane,” continued Borelli. “The Fresh Kills Viaduct was built to accommodate expansion, but it is unclear if either the Arthur Kill Road or the Clay Pit Road overpasses would need to be widened. The main problem will be the connectivity with the Staten Island Expressway as the flyovers are too narrow.”

The SIE is currently having its HOV lane extended for its entire length. When funds became available in 2009, the SIE improvement project was a studied and “shovel-ready” project, which allowed for quick implementation. Seventy-seven percent of the cars that travel the SIE each evening continue onto the West Shore, raising the issue of whether the SIE project will provide enough traffic relief to get most of its commuters home quickly.

“With the continuing growth of Staten Islanders on the road, it is important that we recognize potential problems that may arise, such as the need for the HOV lane to be extended onto the West Shore Expressway,” said Assemblyman Cusick. This bill would have the New York State DOT perform this essential study so that Staten Islanders may avoid future frustrations.”

Senator Andrew Lanza is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, which passed last week.

“I congratulate Assemblyman Borelli on the passage of his first piece of legislation, which is a demonstration of his hard work and dedication,” said Senator Lanza. “He has demonstrated his understanding of the needs of Staten Island. As sponsor of this legislation in the Senate, I will join Assemblyman Borelli in advocating for it to be signed into law.”

“My fear is that the SIE lane expansion project will be completed, and it will be years before DOT even begins to look at whether or not it’s possible to expand down Rt. 440,” added Borelli. “This is the only highway access to the South Shore, and it will be a disaster for commuters if the SIE project quickens their commute to a dead stop on the West Shore. Express Bus riders should be especially concerned.”

Assemblyman Joe Borelli represents the South Shore-based 62nd District. He serves on the Assembly Committee on Transportation as well as the MTA’s Capital Program Review Board.

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