Here's an excerpt from the Tri-State (NY/NJ/CT)Transportation Campaign's latest edition that you might find interesting -- especially in light of efforts everywhere to preserve "livable communities." Mary Krugman ______________________________ Subj: Mobilizing the Region 159 Date: 2/2/98 3:33:15 PM EST From: [log in to unmask] (Tri-State Transportation Campaign) MOBILIZING THE REGION A Weekly Bulletin from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign ============================================================ Electronic Edition 159 January 30, 1998 ============================================================ <Excerpts from HEADLINE: NEWS> Governor Christine Whitman's focus on the problem of sprawl development at her inauguration has won praise and excited debate around the state. Specifics the Governor mentioned are land acquisition and faster development approval in "centers" designated by the NJ State Plan. These leave many questions about effective sprawl-fighting strategies outstanding, only a few of which we can spotlight here: * Does the administration make any connection between land use and transportation? The NJ DOT Long Range Plan, adopted in 1995, stated: "...added [highway] capacity may not provide permanent congestion relief if land use policies encourage sprawl development; added capacity may generate even more traffic." But there's little evidence any heed is ever paid to this point. * What is NJ DOT's role re: the State Plan? At a land use conference in the summer of 1996, the president of Princeton's Center for the Analysis of Public Issues said, "Of all the departments, the DOT is probably lagging the farthest behind in ensuring its actions are consistent with the State Plan," because of heavy suburban and ex-urban road widening and building activity. Nothing has changed in the last year and a half. In the TIP amendment the Department is now preparing for north Jersey (MTR #157), for instance, at least one-third of funding ($135 million) is dedicated to new highway capacity. The capacity investment includes several new highway alignments that will act as "can-openers" for sprawl development. * Will the administration implement screening criteria for roads and transit investments that can indicate whether a project will promote or contain sprawl development? NJ citizens concerned for the state's cities, farms and forests would like to know. * * * ---------------------------------------------------------- Mobilizing the Region is a weekly publication of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, available by fax or electronic mail. We invite tips and contributions from readers. The Campaign was formed in 1993 by 14 leading public interest organizations dedicated to restructuring transportation policy, infrastructure and choices to promote environmental health and sustainability, economic efficiency and social equity in the 32-county region in and around NYC, from Trenton and Poughkeepsie to Hartford and Montauk. MTR#159. Contributing: Bill Yates Editor: Jon Orcutt Executive Director, Janine Bauer