Mayor Thomas Addresses MTA Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 (New York): Today, led by Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, a team from city hall addressed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board at its monthly meeting detailing the negative caused by the closure of several MTA railroad bridges located throughout the city.

“I am pleased the MTA board heard our concerns today and is acting to evaluate whether the capital repairs can be expedited,” said Mayor Thomas. “ I look forward to reviewing the report the board requested and working with the MTA to determine how these essential repairs can be accelerated.”

The Mayor, along with the City’s Police Commissioner Shawn Harris, Deputy Fire Commissioner Debra Norman, and Executive Director of the Industrial Development Agency Eileen Mildenberger, addressed the harmful health, safety and economic impacts the bridges closures are causing for residents and merchants.

The closed bridges cause delays in response time for emergency responders, whether it’s an ambulance, police or fire jeopardizing the health and safety of residents.

Currently four out of the existing eight MTA bridges are closed to vehicular traffic because they are deemed unsafe. Some of the bridges are 100 years old and have been closed for years, due to need for capital repair and rehabilitation.

In June, Mayor Thomas announced that the MTA began capital repairs on the 14th Avenue bridge, and a schedule to repair all bridges.

MTA board member Andrew M. Saul (representing Westchester County) noted the comments presented indicated that the current situation sounded “terrible” and presents a “legitimate problem.” He requested MTA management prepare a full report at the next Metro North Committee meeting be presented including the status of the repairs, and analysis of whether repairs can be expedited.

You Tube video of public comment is below.

Mayor Thomas’ comments 14:07 minutes here.

Andrew Saul’s comments begin around 1:48 minutes here.