Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed 2000-2004 Capital Program

The New York Building Congress welcomes this opportunity to comment
on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed 2000-2004
Capital Program. There are no comparable public investments more
important to the future of the New York metropolitan economy, and
it is especially reassuring to see the MTA’s commitment to a $17.5
billion capital agenda.
The Board of Directors of the Building Congress enthusiastically
endorses the Capital Program and applauds the MTA’s continuing commitment
to maintaining and enhancing the regional public transportation
system.
As a coalition of the design, construction and real estate industry,
the Building Congress is well acquainted with the transit situation
in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan region. In our
collective judgement, the MTA has made sustained progress over the
past 15 years in implementing four successive capital programs that
have maintained, replaced and enhanced the transit system. Considerable
successes have been achieved, and the MTA should be commended for
its overall record with capital improvements.
The current Capital Program, as proposed, will extend the MTA’s
excellent record by continuing to emphasize "good repair"
and normal replacement needs. In addition, the new Capital Program
will provide significant investment for service expansion by constructing
Long Island Rail Road access to Grand Central Terminal, initiating
the Upper East Side segment of the Second Avenue Subway and building
direct service to LaGuardia Airport. This service expansion has
been well considered and is being analyzed in a thorough fashion
under Federal Transit Administration procedures.
The Building Congress recommends that the MTA commit itself to
the full Second Avenue Subway as part of this Capital Program. Work
should be continued on the northern segment, for which studies have
been conducted, while the portion south of 63rd Street is moved
forward on a fast-track basis. Since most of the work on the southern
portion will entail studies during the next five years, we are confident
that it can be financed within the next five-year program.
In endorsing the Capital Program, however, the Building Congress
also would like to call the MTA’s attention to several construction
industry questions and issues. Our membership believes that the
Authority can implement this capital program more effectively and
efficiently by improving some of its contracting procedures and
regulations. By working with the City’s major union and management
groups, the MTA can improve the quality of contractors and skilled
labor on construction jobs. That is especially important now when
the building industry is fully employed and the MTA is proposing
its largest-ever capital program.
Our greatest concern is for adequate financial support of the Capital
Program. Even with this major five-year proposal, transit infrastructure
in New York City and its suburbs still will not be up to the standard
required for the future. Sufficient resources are not being generated
to meet long-term needs of the expanding economy, and now is the
time for government to dedicate long-term financing for public transportation.
We urge the State Legislature to make financing of the MTA Capital
Program its number-one priority. Readily-available sources of financing
have been utilized by previous capital programs, and the fare box
cannot handle more than a small portion of the financial need. Nothing
is more important than securing dedicated transportation funding
for this capital program and beyond.
The Building Congress is not in a position to recommend a financing
plan to the State Legislature, but we do have a number of suggestions:

that a uniform tolling system be evaluated for the City and
region, rather than the sole reliance on MTA Bridges and Tunnels
facilities;

that re-institution of the New York City commuter tax be considered,
because of its appropriateness for regional public transportation
and its ease of administration;

that subway and rail fare increases be considered only as part
of a comprehensive financing package, which includes other long-term
dedicated financing sources.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has provided an ambitious
and commendable five-year Capital Program. We urge the State Legislature
to dedicate itself to supporting and financing this proposal and
doing so with a sense of urgency and the strongest possible commitment.
Failing that, the City and region inevitably will fall behind our
global competition. We must secure the financial resources necessary
to invest for the future, not simply meet day-to-day needs. The
MTA deserves our support to the fullest extent possible.

The New York Building Congress welcomes this opportunity to comment
on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed 2000-2004
Capital Program. There are no comparable public investments more
important to the future of the New York metropolitan economy, and
it is especially reassuring to see the MTA’s commitment to a $17.5
billion capital agenda.
The Board of Directors of the Building Congress enthusiastically
endorses the Capital Program and applauds the MTA’s continuing commitment
to maintaining and enhancing the regional public transportation
system.
As a coalition of the design, construction and real estate industry,
the Building Congress is well acquainted with the transit situation
in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan region. In our
collective judgement, the MTA has made sustained progress over the
past 15 years in implementing four successive capital programs that
have maintained, replaced and enhanced the transit system. Considerable
successes have been achieved, and the MTA should be commended for
its overall record with capital improvements.
The current Capital Program, as proposed, will extend the MTA’s
excellent record by continuing to emphasize "good repair"
and normal replacement needs. In addition, the new Capital Program
will provide significant investment for service expansion by constructing
Long Island Rail Road access to Grand Central Terminal, initiating
the Upper East Side segment of the Second Avenue Subway and building
direct service to LaGuardia Airport. This service expansion has
been well considered and is being analyzed in a thorough fashion
under Federal Transit Administration procedures.
The Building Congress recommends that the MTA commit itself to
the full Second Avenue Subway as part of this Capital Program. Work
should be continued on the northern segment, for which studies have
been conducted, while the portion south of 63rd Street is moved
forward on a fast-track basis. Since most of the work on the southern
portion will entail studies during the next five years, we are confident
that it can be financed within the next five-year program.
In endorsing the Capital Program, however, the Building Congress
also would like to call the MTA’s attention to several construction
industry questions and issues. Our membership believes that the
Authority can implement this capital program more effectively and
efficiently by improving some of its contracting procedures and
regulations. By working with the City’s major union and management
groups, the MTA can improve the quality of contractors and skilled
labor on construction jobs. That is especially important now when
the building industry is fully employed and the MTA is proposing
its largest-ever capital program.
Our greatest concern is for adequate financial support of the Capital
Program. Even with this major five-year proposal, transit infrastructure
in New York City and its suburbs still will not be up to the standard
required for the future. Sufficient resources are not being generated
to meet long-term needs of the expanding economy, and now is the
time for government to dedicate long-term financing for public transportation.
We urge the State Legislature to make financing of the MTA Capital
Program its number-one priority. Readily-available sources of financing
have been utilized by previous capital programs, and the fare box
cannot handle more than a small portion of the financial need. Nothing
is more important than securing dedicated transportation funding
for this capital program and beyond.
The Building Congress is not in a position to recommend a financing
plan to the State Legislature, but we do have a number of suggestions:

that a uniform tolling system be evaluated for the City and
region, rather than the sole reliance on MTA Bridges and Tunnels
facilities;

that re-institution of the New York City commuter tax be considered,
because of its appropriateness for regional public transportation
and its ease of administration;

that subway and rail fare increases be considered only as part
of a comprehensive financing package, which includes other long-term
dedicated financing sources.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has provided an ambitious
and commendable five-year Capital Program. We urge the State Legislature
to dedicate itself to supporting and financing this proposal and
doing so with a sense of urgency and the strongest possible commitment.
Failing that, the City and region inevitably will fall behind our
global competition. We must secure the financial resources necessary
to invest for the future, not simply meet day-to-day needs. The
MTA deserves our support to the fullest extent possible.