[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E659-E660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SAFETEA-LU TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ANTHONY D. WEINER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2007

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend my colleagues for their 
work on the SAFETEA-LU technical corrections bill. After extensive 
conversations with the local transportation authority in New York City, 
it has become apparent that several changes are necessary in order for 
very important transportation infrastructure improvements to be 
implemented in New York City. Included in this bill are a number of 
projects that will enhance transportation throughout New York City and 
in my district in particular.
  At my urging, the technical corrections bill includes: $1,100,000 for 
the New York City Department of Transportation to design and 
rehabilitate roads commonly known as step streets, which connect 
streets on steep grades, in Bronx County in coordination with my 
colleagues Mr. Engel, Mr. Crowley, and Mr. Serrano; $2,500,000 to 
design and construct school safety projects in New York City to be used 
as part of the recently launched Safe Routes to Schools project, 
spearheaded by the New York City Department of Transportation; 
$1,300,000 for the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority to install 
security cameras at the Steinway Street, Broadway, 30th Avenue, and 
Astoria Boulevard subway stations in Astoria, New York, at the 
suggestion and urging of New York Assemblyman Michael Gianaris; 
$100,000 to provide for an independent study of the Newtown Creek oil 
spill in coordination with my colleague Ms. Velazquez; $500,000 for the 
New York City Department of Transportation to study and implement 
transportation improvements in the Breezy Point neighborhood of Queens 
County; $500,000 for the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority's 
interagency task force on fencing to fence exposed track along the Long 
Island Railroad.
  These high priority projects will make a considerable contribution to 
the lives of New York City residents.
  Chairman Oberstar, Mr. Mica, Chairman DeFazio, and Mr. Duncan deserve 
the thanks and appreciation of every Member of this House for their 
tireless efforts to improve America's transportation system.
  I also could not have secured these and other programs within TEA-LU 
without the help and counsel of individuals here in Washington, and New 
York City. I would like to thank Joshua Fay-Hurvitz of my staff. I 
would also like to thank both the Democratic and Republican staff of 
the Transportation Committee. In particular, I would like to thank 
Jackie Schmitz and Ward McCarragher of Mr. Oberstar's staff. I would 
also like to thank Commissioner Iris Weinshall, David Woloch, and Andra 
Horsch at the New York City Department of Transportation. Additionally, 
I'd

[[Page E660]]

like to thank Derrick Douglas with the State of New York, and Judy 
Chesser and Bill Daly with the City of New York. Finally I'd like to 
thank Lee Sander and Chris Boylan with the New York Metropolitan 
Transit Authority, Mike Weiss at the Federal Highway Administration, 
and Jessie Torres at the Department of Transportation.

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