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Transportation

$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley $9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley
$9.6M Scheme: Businessman Admits To Fraud Involving Banks, Including 1 In Hudson Valley The owner of a New York business admitted to running a multimillion-dollar check-kiting scheme to keep his company operating. Long Island resident John B. Mensch, age 54, pleaded guilty in connection with a nearly year-long fraud conspiracy involving banks in Suffolk County and the Hudson Valley, federal authorities announced Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 2. Mensch, of Quogue, faces up to five years’ imprisonment as well as financial penalties, including restitution to the two banks of approximately $9.6 million. According to court filings, Mensch was the owner and operator of East End, a…
Dutchess County Bridge Reopened to Traffic Following Construction Dutchess County Bridge Reopened to Traffic Following Construction
Dutchess County Bridge Reopened to Traffic Following Construction A Hudson Valley bridge has reopened to traffic following replacement of the old structure. The Dutchess County Department of Public Works announced that the replacement of a bridge on Ridge Road in the town of Dover had been completed, and the structure had been opened to traffic. Work on the bridge began in the Spring and included replacing the structure, located over the Mill River near the intersection of Cooperstown Road, with a new, wider bridge that includes three-foot shoulders and slightly straightening the surrounding roadway to improve motorists' safety.  The department said…
Hudson Valley County Unveils New EV Portable Charging Station Hudson Valley County Unveils New EV Portable Charging Station
Hudson Valley County Unveils New EV Portable Charging Station A Hudson Valley government has unveiled the county's latest vehicle charging station, which is entirely off the grid and can be used in remote areas. The new portable charging facility is currently stationed at the Ulster County Office Complex on Ulster Avenue in Kingston. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the station is powered entirely by solar energy and equipped with solar battery storage to help during power outages. It joins other charging stations in the county and will be relocated to its new home in the Ashokan Trail parking lot off Route 28 in Boicevi…
Hudson Valley Bridges Get $17.4M In Funding For Rehab In 3 Counties Hudson Valley Bridges Get $17.4M In Funding For Rehab In 3 Counties
Hudson Valley Bridges Get $17.4M In Funding For Rehab In 3 Counties Three Hudson Valley bridges have received funding for rehabilitation in three counties. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday, June 25, that work is underway on a $17.4 million project to rehabilitate three highway bridges in the Hudson Valley, in Rockland, Westchester, and Orange counties. The project will install new decks and road surfaces and make other repairs to bridges along State Route 52 in Orange County, State Route 304 in Rockland County, and Illington Road in Westchester County, which serve thousands of motorists each day and are widely used by commuters to reach the regi…
Officials In Westchester Call For Direct Access To Penn Station Via Hudson Line Officials In Westchester Call For Direct Access To Penn Station Via Hudson Line
Officials In Westchester Call For Direct Access To Penn Station Via Hudson Line Officials in the Hudson Valley are calling on the MTA to undertake a study on the feasibility of providing direct access to Penn Station from the Hudson Line.  In a letter addressed to MTA Chief Executive Officer Janno Lieber, Westchester County Executive George Latimer called on the transportation agency to conduct a study on having direct one-seat access to Manhattan's Penn Station from the Hudson Line, Latimer announced on Wednesday, Jan. 17.  "The advantages of such a connection are abundant," Latimer wrote in the latter, adding, "Improved transportation links would …
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm
Brand-New Hudson Valley County Executive Sworn In During Season's First Major Winter Storm Despite the region’s first major storm of the winter season dropping more than a foot of snow in parts of the Hudson Valley, more than 350 guests attended the swearing-in of a new county executive. The swearing-in event for Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino was held on Sunday, Jan. 7 at Dutchess Community College’s Aviation Education Center at Hudson Valley Regional Airport in Wappinger.  “I am so honored and humbled to be with you all as I take my ceremonial Oath of Office for this position," Serino said. "As I get to work for Dutchess County, I want to thank each and every on…
New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Severe Storms In Hudson Valley New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Severe Storms In Hudson Valley
New Update: Buses To Replace Suspended Metro-North Trains After Severe Storms In Hudson Valley In the aftermath of severe storms that left Hudson Line tracks covered in water and debris, Metro-North officials have announced that a limited bus service will replace suspended trains in the Hudson Valley.  The limited bus service will begin serving the Hudson Line at around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 10, and will make stops between the Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie stations, MTA officials announced.  Earlier Report - Metro-North Railroad Announces Service Changes Due To Storm Damage These stops will include the Cortlandt and Beacon stations as well.  The buses wil…
Long Section Of Busy Roadway To Close In Northern Westchester Long Section Of Busy Roadway To Close In Northern Westchester
Long Section Of Busy Roadway To Close In Northern Westchester A long section of a major state route in Northern Westchester will soon close, requiring affected travelers to navigate a detour to get around it.  On Thursday, Feb. 23 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m., the eastbound lane of US Route 6/202 (Bear Mountain Bridge Road) will close in Cortlandt between State Route 9D and US Route 9, according to the New York Department of Transportation.  The closure is to allow for an inspection of a rock wall, officials said.  To get around the closure, affected travelers should take the posted detour consisting of State Route 9D, State Route 4…
Westchester Highway To Benefit From $100M In Funding For Paving Projects Westchester Highway To Benefit From $100M In Funding For Paving Projects
Westchester Highway To Benefit From $100M In Funding For Paving Projects Several highways in New York that have been impacted by severe weather are set to undergo major facelifts thanks to millions of dollars in state funding being made available. A total of $100 million in funding has been released to cover repaving projects at 64 locations across the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Wednesday, Feb. 8. The projects add up to nearly 520 lane miles of pavement. In touting the funding, Hochul’s office said the projects will enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers while making roads safer and promoting local commerce. "We are making historic i…
Construction Set To Begin On $4.2B New Terminal At JFK, Here's What Travelers Can Expect Construction Set To Begin On $4.2B New Terminal At JFK, Here's What Travelers Can Expect
Construction Set To Begin On $4.2B New Terminal At JFK, Here's What Travelers Can Expect Faster TSA lines, touchless technology from check-in to gate, and reduced traffic congestion. Those are just some of the improvements that travelers can expect once a $4.2 billion new terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport is completed. Earlier Report: Construction Begins On $9.5 Billion 'New Terminal One' At JFK Airport Construction on the first phase of the 1.2 million-square-foot Terminal 6 is set to begin in early 2023, making room for an additional 10 gates, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday, Nov. 17. "JFK International - the nation's door to the world - will soon …
Metro-North To Start Upgrading Parking Lots At Three Hudson Valley Stations Metro-North To Start Upgrading Parking Lots At Three Hudson Valley Stations
Metro-North To Start Upgrading Parking Lots At Three Hudson Valley Stations Metro-North Railroad has announced a series of parking lot upgrades at three Hudson Valley stations. MTA said upgrades will be made at the stations in Putnam County -- in Cold Spring -- and Dutchess County -- in Beacon, and New Hamburg -- in August and September. MTA said temporary closures and parking restrictions will be necessary as work is underway to create better drainage and install new pavement and pavement markings. The Cold Spring parking lot will be closed for about a week beginning Monday, Aug. 16 while crews work on the area. MTA said the lot will be repaved with new asphalt. …
COVID-19: Biden Issues Orders On Masks, Schools, Travel, Saying 'This Is A Wartime Undertaking' COVID-19: Biden Issues Orders On Masks, Schools, Travel, Saying 'This Is A Wartime Undertaking'
Covid-19: Biden Issues Orders On Masks, Schools, Travel, Saying 'This Is A Wartime Undertaking' President Joe Biden has hit the ground running in laying out his COVID-19 response plan to slow down the pandemic, issuing a series of executive orders to combat the spread of the virus, calling it a "wartime undertaking." On his first full day in office, Thursday, Jan. 21, Biden signed 10 executive orders to combat COVID-19, mandating masks on public transportation across the country and directing agencies to use wartime powers to require American companies to make masks, swabs, and other equipment. The new travel order also requires international travelers to provide proof of a negative…
COVID-19: Biden, Harris Call For '100 Days To Mask' After Taking Office COVID-19: Biden, Harris Call For '100 Days To Mask' After Taking Office
Covid-19: Biden, Harris Call For '100 Days To Mask' After Taking Office President-elect Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office will be symbolically marked by all Americans wearing masks if he has his way. During a CNN interview on Thursday night, Dec. 3 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris - the pair's first joint interview since winning the election - Biden decreed that in an effort to curtail the further spread of COVID-19, he will be asking Americans to mask-up following his inauguration on Wednesday, Jan. 20. “Just 100 days to mask, not forever; 100 days and I think we will see a significant reduction,” Biden said. “I think we'll see a significant reductio…
Photos: $3.2M Bridge Project Completed In Area Photos: $3.2M Bridge Project Completed In Area
Photos: $3.2M Bridge Project Completed In Area The $3.2 million dollar replacement of the Salt Point Turnpike Bridge in the Town of Pleasant Valley has been completed. Construction, which included the replacement of the bridge over Wappinger Creek, the reconfiguration of an intersection and the replacement of an adjacent culvert, began on April 16 of 2019.  The new bridge has two new four-foot-wide shoulders, improving safety and mobility along State Route 115, and the culvert promotes the health of the waterway by allowing water to flow more freely through the area.  The structure is also better lit than its predecessor, acc…
Roadwork Alert: Ramp Closures, Lane Shifts Scheduled For Busy Litchfield County Roadway Roadwork Alert: Ramp Closures, Lane Shifts Scheduled For Busy Litchfield County Roadway
Roadwork Alert: Ramp Closures, Lane Shifts Scheduled For Busy Litchfield County Roadway Some on and off ramps will be closed and lanes shifted for several months on a busy Litchfield County roadway as a multi-million dollar bridge rehabilitation project kicks off in Thomaston. Beginning on Tuesday, June 9, the exit 38 on and off-ramps on Route 8 will be closed for at least four months as they begin construction on two bridges as part of a $9.2 million rehabilitation project. A posted detour on Routes 254 and 222 through Thomaston will be in place through the scope of the project. Motorists have been advised to use exits 40 and 39 southbound on Route 8, or exit 39 for Route 8 n…
27 NY Thruway Plazas Set For $450M Overhaul: View Rendering Here 27 NY Thruway Plazas Set For $450M Overhaul: View Rendering Here
27 NY Thruway Plazas Set For $450M Overhaul: View Rendering Here As many are stuck inside their home due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, work is moving forward in the state on some important projects, including a new plan to update the New York State Thruway's 27 service plazas. The initiative to upgrade the plazas was first mentioned in by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his 2018 State of the State address. Since then, a $450 million plan has been launched to redevelop 27 service areas, many of which were built in the 1950s and others that haven't been updated since the 1990s, officials with the State Thruway Authority Board of Directors said. …
COVID-19: Former Google CEO To Reimagine How New York Operates COVID-19: Former Google CEO To Reimagine How New York Operates
Covid-19: Former Google CEO To Reimagine How New York Operates Gov. Andrew Cuomo has tabbed former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to help lead the charge in reimagining the “new normal” in New York as it begins to come out the other side of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Schmidt will be tasked with heading a 15-member blue-ribbon commission that will “Reimagine New York.” “We need a true visionary, and that’s Eric Schmidt,” Cuomo said. “He might be the best in the world. He saw a future no one else envisioned and developed a way to get there. So I’m asking him to work with us to bring that visionary aspect to our government and our society. “Th…
COVID-19: 'I Dare You,' Says Cuomo, Firing Back At Mitch McConnell Over State Bankruptcy COVID-19: 'I Dare You,' Says Cuomo, Firing Back At Mitch McConnell Over State Bankruptcy
Covid-19: 'I Dare You,' Says Cuomo, Firing Back At Mitch McConnell Over State Bankruptcy With New York State revenues projected to decline by approximately $13.3 billion dollars this year due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo dared Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to sign a bill allowing states to declare for bankruptcy. McConnell (R-Kentucky) had said that states facing budget crises due to the pandemic should declare bankruptcy, a notion that Cuomo called “one of the really dumb ideas of all time.” During his daily COVID-19 briefing on Friday, April 24, Cuomo doubled down, daring McConnell and the Senate to pass a bill allowing states to …
COVID-19: Commuters Who Use E-ZPass Can Get Credits For Unused Trips COVID-19: Commuters Who Use E-ZPass Can Get Credits For Unused Trips
Covid-19: Commuters Who Use E-zpass Can Get Credits For Unused Trips With commuters traveling less during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the New York State Thruway Authority is offering credits to some workers that haven’t been hitting the road as often as normal. With non-essential businesses shut down due to the outbreak of the virus, the Thruway Authority announced it will be authorizing credits to some motorists who purchased monthly E-ZPass plans to be used while traveling over the new Tappan Zee Bridge. According to transportation officials, drivers are also being permitted to suspend their current commuter plans if they are not using their…
MTA Issues Update On Precautions Against Coronavirus MTA Issues Update On Precautions Against Coronavirus
MTA Issues Update On Precautions Against Coronavirus The MTA is taking precautions to prevent the spread of the increasing threat of coronavirus. “While there is no confirmed case in New York, the MTA has already taken a number of steps to provide information about the novel coronavirus to our employees and our eight million daily customers across NYC Transit, Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road,” the organization stated. A total of 81,109 cases have been confirmed globally. Of those cases, 78,191 cases have been confirmed in China, with 2,918 outside China, the World Health Organization announced. The risk assessment remains “very high” i…
CT Pulls Plug On Plan For Tolls, Including On Mile-Long I-684 Stretch CT Pulls Plug On Plan For Tolls, Including On Mile-Long I-684 Stretch
CT Pulls Plug On Plan For Tolls, Including On Mile-Long I-684 Stretch Plans for toll gantries on Connecticut highways - including one on a short stretch of I-684 that would have directly impacted New York drivers disproportionately - have been put on hold.Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont introduced a plan for 12 statewide tolls, including the one on I-684 near the Greenwich-North Castle town line that would have forced truck drivers to pay a toll as high as $20 despite being in the state for only about one mile. The Greenwich toll gantry would have been located between the exit for the Westchester County Airport (Exit 2 in Purchase) on the southbound side and the N…
Toll Prices Increase Along These NY Bridges, Tunnels Toll Prices Increase Along These NY Bridges, Tunnels
Toll Prices Increase Along These NY Bridges, Tunnels Traveling to and from New York City has gotten more expensive. Tolls on bridges and tunnels connecting New York City to northern New Jersey, Westchester, and Long Island went up this weekend, beginning on Sunday, Jan. 5. Toll increases will impact drivers using the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Goethals Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, and Outerbridge Crossing. Cash tolls were also increased to $16 on Port Authority bridges and tunnels. Passengers using E-Z Pass will be charged $13.75 during peak hours and $11.75 during off-peak hours, both a $1.25 increase.
Route 9A Lane Closure Scheduled Route 9A Lane Closure Scheduled
Route 9A Lane Closure Scheduled The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists of a lane closure on Route 9A. The Department says a lane closure is scheduled for Route 9A northbound and southbound between Route 117 and Stormytown Road in the Westchester County town of Ossining and the villages of Ossining and Briarcliff Manor. The closure will occur on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m while crews perform maintenance work, weather permitting. During this time, motorists should plan accordingly, seek alternate routes where possible and anticipate delays, the NYSDOT says.…
Metro-North May Raise Parking Fees At Some Stations Metro-North May Raise Parking Fees At Some Stations
Metro-North May Raise Parking Fees At Some Stations Parking may be getting a bit costlier for Metro-North riders. The MTA is reviewing a proposal to increase fees at 25 station parking facilities that are controlled by the railroad. It would impact riders east of the Hudson River, including the Harlem, Hudson and New Haven lines. Permit holders for 16-hour parking would pay an average of $42.75 annually, approximately 12 cents a day. Customers who use daily meters will pay an average of $14.17 more monthly, with the meters increasing by 50 to 75 cents for 16-hour parking. The cost per month for having a second vehicle on the permit will go u…
I-84 Lane Reopens After Disabled Tractor-Trailer Incident I-84 Lane Reopens After Disabled Tractor-Trailer Incident
I-84 Lane Reopens After Disabled Tractor-Trailer Incident This story has been updated. The left lane on a stretch of I-84 has reopened after a disabled tractor-trailer was removed from the highway. The incident happened in East Fishkill at milepost marker 57, between Exit 58 (Ludingtonville Road) and Exit 52 (the Taconic State Parkway) just before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1. Traffic was reported to be backed up three to four miles. The tractor-trailer was removed just after 5 p.m. There are residual delays in the area.
Tractor-Trailer Hauling Liquid Eggs Overturns, Spilling Contents On Side Of Roadway Tractor-Trailer Hauling Liquid Eggs Overturns, Spilling Contents On Side Of Roadway
Tractor-Trailer Hauling Liquid Eggs Overturns, Spilling Contents On Side Of Roadway A tractor-trailer hauling liquid eggs overturned after driving off the roadway, overturning and spilling the eggs on the side of the road. The incident took place in Sullivan County around 4:55 a.m., Friday, Oct. 18, near Sheeley Lane and Glen Wild Road in Rock Hill, said the Rock Hill Fire Department Chief Brian Soller. When Rock Hill firefighters arrived on the scene, the driver had been able to get out of the truck on his own, Soller said. He was transported with minor injuries to an area hospital. Tractor-trailer transporting liquid eggs rolled over, spilling the contents on the si…
$10.9 Million Project To Replace Route 6 Bridge Starts $10.9 Million Project To Replace Route 6 Bridge Starts
$10.9 Million Project To Replace Route 6 Bridge Starts Work has begun on a near $11 million Route 6 bridge replacement project. New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez announced that construction has begun on a $10.9 million project in Putnam County to replace the bridge over the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line in Brewster and Southeast. Dominguez said that the “project will enhance safety and improve travel conditions on the heavily traveled roadway which serves as a gateway to the village and its rail station.” The new bridge will be constructed 75-feet to the south of the existing structure, cr…
Big Fish: Neighboring Governors Cuomo, Lamont Talk Transportation, Tourism, Tolls -- And Trout Big Fish: Neighboring Governors Cuomo, Lamont Talk Transportation, Tourism, Tolls -- And Trout
Big Fish: Neighboring Governors Cuomo, Lamont Talk Transportation, Tourism, Tolls -- And Trout Gone fishin'. Amid their mid-August vacations, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont took time to have a small summit on the waters of Lake Ontario. The two met on Tuesday, Aug. 20, where they discussed topics such as transportation, tourism and tolls -- all while reeling in steelhead trout on the lake in a 31-foot charter boat, “Instigator.”  The governors said that other topics to come up included the potential legalization of marijuana, emergency services, and the environment. Since taking office last year, Lamont has been taking similar meetings with elected …
Ramp Closure On Taconic Parkway Will Last Throughout Workweek Ramp Closure On Taconic Parkway Will Last Throughout Workweek
Ramp Closure On Taconic Parkway Will Last Throughout Workweek The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists of an upcoming exit ramp closure on the Taconic State Parkway that will continue through the workweek. The Department says that an exit ramp closure is scheduled for the Taconic State Parkway southbound at Exit 43A (northbound Route 82) in the Dutchess County town of East Fishkill. The ramp will close daily beginning Monday, Aug. 19 through Friday, Aug. 23 between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. while crews perform maintenance activities, weather permitting. During this time, motorists are advised to use extra caution when traveli…
State Takes Next Steps For Route 17 Expansion State Takes Next Steps For Route 17 Expansion
State Takes Next Steps For Route 17 Expansion The state Department of Transportation has officially taken the next step in the ongoing effort to improve safety and mobility along Route 17. The NYSDOT has issued a request for proposals for an engineering company to undergo a scoping and preliminary review process. The work is part of a $5 million study involving Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL). This study includes identifying priority locations, conducting environmental assessments and starting the preliminary engineering process. Funding for the PEL was committed as part of the state’s 2018-2019 budget. “This is great news fo…
MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay
MTA To Investigate Reports Of $400M In Employees' Overtime Pay The MTA has launched an extensive investigation regarding “massive” overtime payments that saw its workers earn more than $400 million in overtime last year. Despite a year fraught with delayed, canceled and stalled trains, as well as the seventh fare hike in less than a decade, a new study released by Empire Center found that MTA’s overtime rose by nearly 16 percent last year. In total, the MTA shelled out $418 million in overtime more than five times what the anticipated price hike that took effect this week is expected to generate. In response, MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick F…