讀後心得

The MTA announced that it will use congestion pricing revenue to upgrade the Delancey St-Essex St subway station for accessibility, while also promoting affordable housing construction. This project will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and is described by MTA Chairman Lieber as a "win-win-win" solution that promotes transit improvements and reduces accidents. The new Essex Street comprehensive development plan will also proceed, providing 99 brand new residential units, with efforts to make 50% of them affordable housing. The MTA also plans to renovate elevators to facilitate passenger transfers. Local officials emphasized that this project, funded by congestion pricing, will bring multiple benefits.

The MTA announced that the revenue from the congestion fee will be used for the accessibility upgrades at the subway station near Chinatown, ensuring compliance with disability standards while continuing to build affordable housing.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced a series of projects near Manhattan’s Chinatown to facilitate the accessibility of the Delancey St-Essex St subway station, while also continuing the development of affordable housing above the station in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. These upgrades will be funded by the revenue from Manhattan's congestion fee.

According to the MTA, this funding has already been included in the construction plan for 2020 to 2024. The MTA Chairman stated that the station is located in the heart of the Lower East Side, serving not only as an important transfer hub in Manhattan but also as a vital access point for communities reliant on public transportation, primarily consisting of seniors, working-class individuals, and low-income groups. He described the new project as a "triple win" solution and noted that the community has felt the positive effects of the congestion fee policy, with improved traffic flow, reduced noise, and a 25% decrease in traffic accidents.

He emphasized that this project will benefit the community, with a significant portion of the funding coming from the congestion fee. Additionally, the "Essex Street Comprehensive Development" project above the station is also advancing concurrently. According to a senior official from the City Economic Development Corporation, the ninth parcel of this project is set to commence in 2026, providing 99 new housing units. The overall construction plan will reach 1,100 residential units, with 50% designated as affordable housing.

At the same time, the Delancey Street Development Partnership responsible for the construction will provide easement rights to the MTA and plans to build an elevator at the corner that will directly access the F, M, J, and Z subway lines. Furthermore, the MTA will also renovate three elevators to allow passengers to transfer between all routes within the station without barriers and will advance the design of a new subway station entrance.

A congressional representative stated that this development is a "direct result of the congestion fee policy," emphasizing that without the congestion fee, the project would not have launched. He pointed out that while the congestion fee may incur initial costs, the benefits are multifaceted. Also attending the event were state assembly members, state senators, and city council members.

According to MTA statistics, the station serves approximately 68,000 passengers daily, and since the Essex Street Comprehensive Development project was approved in 2012, the total building area has approached two million square feet, encompassing retail commercial space, office space, and green areas. Currently completed projects include the new Essex Market, 75,000 square feet of retail space, and 64,000 square feet of community space.