2013-dot-sustainable-streets-lowres

RESILIENCYOn Friday November 2, the number ofpeople riding over the East River Bridgesby bike more than doubled from 3,500to 7,800.Protecting the fleetThe heroic service of DOT’s FerryDivision during Hurricane Sandyprevented damage to six ferryboatsduring the storm. As winds reachedover 80mph and a record breakingtidal surge took over New York harbor,90 ship–board crew and 60 additionalstaff on the ferry docks stopped theboats from striking the ferry slipsand each other. The ferryboat crewsadjusted mooring lines as the tiderose. Captains worked boat enginesthe entire night making sure theferries stayed in position between thepiers and did not come in contact withthe piers or the associated pilings.At one point, an Austen class boat’sstern line came lose, and the boatmade contact with the Senator JohnJ. Marchi, which was moored nearby.DOT Ferry staff placed make–shiftfenders in between the two vesselsto minimize the potential for damageas the vessels came together. Asthe storm progressed and the stormsurge escalated, water engulfed boththe Whitehall and St George FerryTerminals. DOT staff had to move tothe upper floors to stay safe.The professionalism and dedicationand long hours put in by DOT’scaptains, crews and shore staffensured that almost $200 millionworth of custom–built ferryboatswere kept safe and secure duringthe hurricane. After the storm, ferrystaff worked around the clock torepair electrical systems and removedebris to the St. George and Whitehallterminals*. Despite $30 million indamage to ferry terminals, the StatenIsland Ferry was up and running 72hours after the storm.Commissioner Sadik–Khan on first Staten Island Ferry to run 72 hours post–SandyBicyclesThe city’s substantial improvementto the bike network provided muchneeded transportation capacityin the days after the storm. On atypical weekday, 3,500 people enterManhattan by bike using one of thefour East River Bridges. On FridayNovember 2nd, the total swelled to7,800. Unfortunately, the storm diddamage CitiBike equipment that wasin storage in the Brooklyn Navy Yardprior to the program’s start.Bicycling rates swelled after the stormSustainable Streets: 2013 and Beyond205