Statement from Mayor Bill de Blasio on Federal Transportation Bill

December 3, 2015

Mayor de Blasio released the following statement upon the House and Senate's passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The bill will now go to the President for his signature. Mayor de Blasio has led a bipartisan coalition of mayors fighting for a bill that increased funding for cities' transportation infrastructure.

“Today’s vote marks a win for New Yorkers – and our entire country. For months, our congressional delegation, bipartisan mayors, business leaders, labor and Americans around this country have made it clear: investment in our transportation infrastructure is investment in our country’s economic future. 

As a result of this bill, New York City commuters will see an estimated additional $100 million in transportation funding every year for the next five years – totaling $500 million for our roads, bridges, transit and ferries. Importantly, this bill rolls back the potential $80 million annual cut for New York subway and bus riders, instead increasing funding for core transit programs that benefit New York City. The bill also provides $16 billion in new competitive grant funding for large infrastructure projects. That means projects like North Shore Bus Rapid Transit, Woodhaven SBS, the BQE Triple Cantilever, MTA capital priorities like Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, the Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel, and safety initiatives like Vision Zero Great Streets could now move forward.

We’re particularly grateful to our conference committee negotiators Senator Schumer and Congressman Nadler, and our entire delegation for their unwavering leadership. Now, let’s put these dollars to work.‎”