Tuesday Headlines: Valley Verdict Edition
Gov. Hochul is heading to the Hudson Valley with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Pat Ryan to decry the region’s proposed data-center boom — an increasingly urgent fight as communities reckon with the enormous energy and infrastructure demands of the AI economy.
But while the governor is warning about the consequences of letting giant infrastructure projects steamroll local interests, the Hudson Valley’s transportation system offers plenty of examples of what happens when the state fails to plan for the alternatives.
Take the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry, which was discontinued by the MTA despite its role as a direct link between two Hudson River communities. Or the Rhinecliff Amtrak station, where long-promised improvements have been tangled up in federal review and delays.
Then there’s Route 17, where the state is still pursuing a $1.3-billion highway expansion despite questions about its traffic assumptions and whether widening the road will simply induce more driving.
And just last week, we reported on Hochul’s Active Transportation Strategic Plan, which advocates say contains plenty of process but few measurable commitments to actually make walking and biking safer.
So, sure, let’s talk data centers. But maybe somebody should ride around Dutchess County and see what else needs attention.
- Gov. Hochul announces an expansion of free community college while Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman hits her on affordability during separate Erie County stops. (State of Politics)
- President Trump is expected in Syracuse Friday with Blakeman, as Hochul works to tie her opponent to him. (State of Politics)
- Hundreds paint a stretch of road at the Tivoli Street Painting Festival. (The Daily Catch)
- A car driver struck and killed a pedestrian on Lake Avenue in Rochester. (Rochester First)
- 21st Congressional District candidate Anthony Constantino accused Democratic opponent Blake Gendebien of illegally dumping trash. (The Times Union)
- Rhinebeck Town Board unanimously approved a 25-ton truck weight limit on White Schoolhouse Road. (The Daily Catch)
- A Kingston police officer was struck by a car driver while directing traffic near school. (Hudson Valley One)
- Brooklyn Democrats appear to have a new leader despite a recent court order. (The City Reporter)
- Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie partied in Rio with his lobbyist bestie, and it’s unclear who paid. (The New York Post)
- Harlem leaders urge the MTA chair to include them in planning for a possible westward Second Avenue Subway expansion. (amNewYork)
Read More:
Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.
