NYC Council Votes for More DOT Transparency

The Department of Transportation (DOT) may soon need to post information about resurfacing and capital improvement of city blocks on its website.
NYC Council Votes for More DOT Transparency
1/4/2012
Updated:
9/7/2012

NEW YORK—The Department of Transportation (DOT) may soon need to post information about resurfacing and capital improvement of city blocks on its website.

The City Council voted on Wednesday to pass the bill Transparency In Paving Streets (TIPS), which requires the DOT to be more transparent about its initiatives.

“With this bill, we’re not only giving New Yorkers greater information about their communities, we’re also empowering them to make changes in their communities,” said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn.

After the mayor signs the bill into law, an interactive map will be available on DOT’s website. New Yorkers will be able to zoom in on the city map to find information about their blocks, such as how the DOT rates the street’s condition or the last time it was paved. The legislation requires this to be ready within one year.

Minority Leader James Oddo, the prime sponsor of the legislation encourages citizens to reach out to their local officials for action if they disagree with how their block is rated.

“This bill is about greater transparency in the delivery of city services,” he said. “The end game is to make New Yorkers aware of their street rating and empower them to get action from city government.”