Flynn and Forgione respond on bus mileage and pothole repairs

I'll just kind of start at the top here.

You asked about the bus action plan and bus mileage.

One thing I also want to note is that the mileage is kind of comprised of two pieces.

So there's the physical design work we do to create or upgrade bus lanes, busways, and the street design.

And then there's also the automated camera enforcement from MTA.

So you mentioned the mileage from last year.

So, you know, our bus program for this year, it's in active development, so I don't have an exact number, but what I can say is that it's a historic level of investment that we're seeing

starting in July, and therefore we're expecting a historic level of output this year, significantly exceeding past years when it comes to mileage, and even more in future years in terms of output.

I think next you asked about pothole blitz and just generally paving conditions in southeast Queens.

I noted the location that you just provided at the entrance to the parking lot, so we will get out there in the next 24 to 48 hours.

We will address that.

You asked about pothole repair as a result of the funding.

The funding is paying for all of those pothole blitzes that we had, where we addressed over 100,000 pothole conditions.

But at this moment, in terms of 311 input for potholes, we have only a few hundred.

We can keep up with potholes now that we've gotten through the worst of it.

So in general, for you or for the whole council, for the public, any potholes, let us know.

Call them into 311.

You just call us anytime, and we will have them addressed very quickly.

You also mentioned, I think, Auburn by the Sea, the lighting issue, Councilmember.

Yes, we've been working on that since, as you know, since last year.

Correct.

Our borough commissioner updated me a few days ago that we're doing everything we can to help the developer and HPD understand exactly what light fixtures need to get installed

to the extent that we are even going to provide one that they can use and then they can purchase more to have them all rectified and replaced.

I think it's pretty alarming how long it's taken with coordination with sister agencies with something that's a public safety matter, like literally with lighting being completely out and for such a duration of time.

Okay, we are...

100% available to assist in any way.

Those streets don't belong to us.

No, they belong to HPD.

But there needs to be greater coordination because DOT is still responsible for the conditions of the streets.

I understand because of the...

Urban development that took place is under HPD right now, but there has to be coordination.

It can't continue to be finger pointing between the agencies.

No, I understand and I agree.

So we are providing actually several light poles to them in order to really help them understand what has to happen.

We'll be on the ground with them at any moment that they need us out there to help figure out the problem.

Great.

Thank you.

Councilmember Krishnan, followed by Councilmember Banks.