The project, part of a broader plan called “New York Crossings,” would outfit the MTA’s seven bridges and two tunnels — and the Port Authority’s George Washington Bridge — with pulsating, multicolored LED lights that can be choreographed with each other, with the Empire State Building and with One World Trade. — Politico
MTA's crumbling infrastructure has been making headlines since April and the situation does not appear to be getting any better for NYC transiters; three-quarters of the city's subway lines are plagued by chronic delays and frustrated riders continue to overcrowd the system.
While the parties involved point fingers and place blame every which way they can, New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has faced growing pressure to fix the system.
Among the list of complaints being lodged against the Chief of State, are critiques of his plan to turn the region's bridges into a choreographed light show in concert with the city's skyscrapers. The cost of the lighting scheme has not been revealed though an early internal estimate put the price tag at $350 mill. In addition, where funding will come from remains unclear—a spokesman for Cuomo stated that "this is definitively NOT being paid for by the MTA," though a meeting back in January had suggested otherwise. Regardless of who picks up the tab, critics believe that the state should not be steering that money towards something so cosmetic; with an embarrassed transit system, priority for funding should be given to fix issues related to safety and/or structural repairs.
Favoring the aesthetic over the practical is something the New York Governor has been often accused. He has shown a fondness for making big infrastructure pronouncements that are heavy on grandiosity. When presenting on the project back in October, he remarked "our bridges are some of the most beautiful on the globe, just structurally. If they were illuminated, they could be breathtaking, and I believe they could be an international tourist attraction." Because New York City could certainly use one of those!
6 Comments
This shit is absolutely infuriating. Cuomo is a skilled politician and has tried desperately to defect the blame, but it comes down to the fact that the MTA is a NY state run agency. The buck should stop with him. Many New Yorkers (perhaps most) think that the MTA is a NYC-run agency.
Follow the money and all will be explained.
Add to all this the lack of imagination being applied with respect to infrastructure nationally.
They need a Highline (oh wait, that's there). We need colored bridges! The looked cool in Boston, so we'll do more annnd- wait for it... synchronize them! And then we can have invite DJ's and others to make lighting shows that will feature all of New York. That'll bring people to our city.
Japan has had the Shinkansen since the 1960's.The earliest versions ran at 130 mph, current trains run at 200 mph.
Ain't 'Merica great?
Throw some colored light on those shitty slow moving trains. Tourists will love it.
innovative
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