Local politico looks to change truck routes here, by Brian Abate

A bill that would re-design New York City’s truck route networking and help Red Hook deal with the increasing number of trucks coming into the neighborhood will hopefully be signed by Mayor Adams in the coming weeks.

Introduction 708-A, sponsored by District 38 Council Member Alexa Aviles “would require the Department of Transportation [DOT] to redesign the city’s truck route network to improve safety, increase visibility, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce vehicle miles traveled.

The bill. passed by the City Council, would require DOT to consult with city agencies, community boards and business improvement districts, and representatives from businesses, environmental and climate justice organizations, street safety organizations, and the trucking, logistics, and last-mile delivery industries.

It would would also require that DOT assess whether daylighting or daylighting barriers which increase the visibility of pedestrians crossing the street should be implemented at intersections on the truck route network, and review and replace truck route signage where necessary.”

The bill would be especially significant in Red Hook given the influx of last-mile distribution centers which have opened in the neighborhood in recent years. These distribution centers rely heavily on trucks and there are lots of trucks going through Red Hook every day.

“Large corporations cannot continue to exploit our land and roadways without addressing resident needs,” Aviles said. “Communities like the ones I represent should not be forced to bear the weight of the e-commerce boom alone. I’m grateful for the Speaker’s support in making 708 a priority and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

On the City Council website, Intro 708-A, says “Mayor’s Desk for Signature,” which means it was sent to Mayor Adams but hasn’t been signed yet. According to Aviles’ communications director, Emmet Teran, it is “expected to be signed in the next couple of weeks.”

The community’s feedback regarding the current truck routes and changes that can be made will be significant once this legislation is enacted. This is an issue that the Red Hook Civic Association has already been addressing. I attended a meeting on Nov. 22, in which attendees talked through some of the key issues stemming from the ‘Truckpocalypse” that has hit Red Hook as well as some ideas to mitigate those problems.

“One barge can take 114 tractor-trailers off the road, reducing congestion on our highways, bridges, and our neighborhood,” said Jim Tampakis of Tamco Mechanical (54 Richards St.) in the Civic Association’s position paper on the “Truckpocalypse.” He has been calling for last-mile warehouses in Red Hook to rely much more heavily on the waterway to transport goods, and now others are doing the same.

“The people of Red Hook deserve safe streets and clean air,” said Matias Kalwill, one of the leaders of the Civic Association. “This can be achieved through an abundance of cargo bikes, improved trucks and vans routes, electrified freight fleets and active waterways.”

Getting Intro 708-A signed into law would be a step in the right direction and may happen soon. This community can play an important role in implementation. The Civic Association is already working to come up with ideas and solutions.

Brian Abate