Polly Trottenberg named Biden’s deputy secretary of transportation
Published on Jan 19, 2021 by
SI Live
Erik Bascome
1.19.21
New York City’s former transportation chief will soon be tackling transit issues on a national level.
On Monday, President-elect Joe Biden announced various new additions to his administration, including tapping former New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) commissioner Polly Trottenberg as deputy secretary of transportation.
“Our administration will hit the ground running to deliver immediate, urgent relief to Americans; confront the overlapping crises of COVID-19, the historic economic downturn, systemic racism and inequality, and the climate crisis; and get this government working for the people it serves,” Biden said.
“These tireless public servants will be a key part of our agenda to build back better — and I am confident they will help make meaningful change and move our country forward,” he added.
Trottenberg, the longest-serving commissioner in the city DOT’s history, was first appointed to her position in January 2014, and was a key contributor in implementing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative to improve roadway safety and reduce traffic fatalities.
The former commissioner announced her resignation in late-November amid growing speculation that she would be asked to join the Biden administration following his Election Day win.
Trottenberg has previously served at the federal level under the Obama administration as the assistant secretary for transportation policy and under secretary for policy at USDOT.
The press release from Biden’s transition team references the Vision Zero initiative, 14th Street Busway and the DOT’s response to novel coronavirus (COVD-19) as some of the accomplishments qualifying her for the position.
“Trottenberg helped implement the nation’s first Vision Zero program, taking a multi-disciplinary approach to eliminating traffic fatalities and injuries. She has also focused on improving transportation equity and access, including implementation of the groundbreaking 14th St. Busway. She led NYCDOT’s COVID-19 response and recovery, transforming city streets to promote sustainable transportation and economic recovery, including one of the largest outdoor restaurant programs in the country,” according to the release.
TIME AT DOT
During her time as head of DOT, Trottenberg led the way on a number of streetscape improvements and traffic safety initiatives, most notably Vision Zero, which has helped New York City generally reduce the number of annual traffic fatalities, despite a slight uptick in the past two years.
Under the Vision Zero initiative, which aims to achieve zero traffic fatalities in New York City by 2024, Trottenberg helped reduce the citywide speed limit to 25 miles per hour and implement what’s now the world’s largest speed camera program.
While many Staten Islanders have been critical of the school zone speed camera program, convinced it’s more about making money than improving safety, others have defended the program as an admirable effort to protect some of our city’s most vulnerable pedestrians.
Trottenberg, who also spent five years serving on the MTA board during her time as DOT commissioner, pushed for expanded bus lanes, like the ones recently implemented on Hylan Boulevard.
Expanding the city’s protected bike lane network was another one of Trottenberg’s priorities during her time on the job, installing over 80 miles of protected bike lanes throughout the five borough’s during her tenure.
Bike shares were also at the forefront of the DOT’s cycling efforts, with Citi Bike proving to a be a major success and dockless pilot programs, like the ones JUMP and Lime hosted on Staten Island, having opened the door for future micromobility options.
Street resurfacing was among the department’s highest priorities when Trottenberg took over, with nearly half of the 19,000 lane miles of city streets being repaved since 2014.
Trottenberg also oversaw the Staten Island Ferry, which had seen record ridership prior to the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Three new ferryboats were announced under Trottenberg’s leadership, though various delays have prevented them from yet being put into service.
TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATES REACT
Trottenberg’s appointment to the Biden administration has been welcomed by various transportation advocacy groups and organizations that are optimistic about what the appointment could mean for New York City and the rest of the country.
Transportation Alternatives, a group that encourages the use of public transit, biking and walking over personal car usage, praised the move as “a win for New York City and for America.”
“As New York City and cities across the country face growing transportation challenges, we are hopeful that Trottenberg and the Biden Administration will deliver tested solutions that put people and public transit above private vehicles,” said Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris.
“New York City will have advocates at the highest levels of the federal government, with Senator Chuck Schumer becoming Senate Majority Leader and Polly Trottenberg serving as Deputy Secretary at USDOT. That both are regular bike riders is an added bonus, and we look forward to working with them and soon-to-be Secretary Pete Buttegieg on critical transportation issues facing our city, state, and nation in the coming years,” Harris added.
The New York Building Congress, a group dedicated to the growth and success of New York City’s construction industry, voiced optimism that Trottenberg’s appointment could help spur the completion of long-awaited transportation infrastructure projects
“The New York Building Congress is thrilled that former NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg has been selected to serve in the Biden Administration. Having worked alongside her for years, we know the expertise and leadership she brings to this position at a time when infrastructure must be a top priority for our country; especially, as we face the long road to recovery. We look forward to continuing our relationship with her in Washington, D.C. in support of critical projects and initiatives, from congestion pricing to the BQE and finally moving the Gateway Tunnel forward,” said Carlo A. Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress.
The American Bus Association, a group devoted to the nation’s motorcoach industry, also praised the appointment, expressing optimism that Trottenberg’s leadership could help the struggling industry rebound from the effects of COVID-19.
“We are looking forward to working with Polly and the Biden Administration to ensure that the motorcoach industry continues to be the safest form of surface transportation,” said Peter Pantuso, ABA president and CEO. “Polly knows our industry well, which will be a big help as we continue to work with Congress and the Administration to keep this industry alive and moving forward during this pandemic.”
https://www.silive.com/news/2021/01/polly-trottenberg-named-bidens-deputy-secretary-of-transportation.html
