Several of the key words missing from Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City address this past Tuesday were “traffic” “congestion” “ sustainability.” Streetsblog noticed and also that the only mass transit reference was to the extension of the #7, a project the City is said to see as key to the development of the far West side – especially to the Javits Center and the former Stadium site.

Although the Mayor seems to have lost some interest in transportation, congestion and sustainability issues, the NYC Council, plans to move forward next week on legislation which, if enacted, would require NYC’s Department of Transportation to consider factors other than cars and trucks when it decides on projects. At present, DOT getting its marching orders from the Mayor, evaluates proposed transit projects from the point of view of moving more vehicles faster. The proposed law, Intro 199 of 2006 was introduced principally by Council Member Gail Brewer. Drafted in conjunction with Transportation Alternatives, it has collected 20 co-sponsors and has been endorsed by a number of community boards. See a Transportation Alternatives description of Intro 199 here.

The Council’s Transportation Committee will hold a first hearing on the bill. At present it's scheduled for Thursday, Jan 25, 2007 at 10AM in the Council Chamber (a great room in a great building -- City Hall -- if you're a fan of such things). It should be a treat for those who enjoy the dance of legislation. Citizen activists, transit experts (Bruce Schaller, always a pleasure to listen to, is predicted) and some DOT staff. The Mayor has yet to take a position, I’m told. (Will he complain, in an era of multi-billion dollar surpluses that DOT cannot afford to plan?) Has your Council Member signed on as a co-sponsor yet? Why not ask?