Press Release 5/1/18

Assemblyman Ron Castorina

STATEN ISLAND, NY- If last summer stands as an indicator, Staten Islanders can expect horrendous traffic along Route 440 and the Outerbridge Crossing. Assemblyman Ron Castorina has called on officials from both sides of the Raritan to come together in an effort to find solutions to this problem.

The Outerbridge Crossing Traffic Summit will take place at  Assemblyman Ron Castorina’s office on May 18th at 11 o’clock with: Congressman Dan Donovan, Borough President James Oddo, Senator Andrew Lanza, Senator Diane Savino, Councilman Joe Borelli, Councilman Steve Matteo, Councilwoman Debi Rose, Assemblyman Matthew Titone, Assemblyman Mike Cusick, and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis from New York and Mayor Wilda Diaz, Senator Joseph Vitale, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, and Assemblyman Craig Coughlin from New Jersey having received invitations.

Acting New York State DOT Regional 11 Director Luis Calderon, New Jersey State DOT Acting Commissioner Diane Gutierrez – Scaccetti, and Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton also received invitations. The Summit seeks to address ways to mitigate traffic through brainstorming ideas with a bi-partisan. bi-state, and intra-agency approach.

“Coming from differing states, agencies and levels of government we all have a different set of skills and experiences. Tackling this issue from multiple points of view, getting these diverse opinions together in one room will bring us closer to a solution.” Assemblyman Castorina continued, “People travel over the Outerbridge Crossing to enjoy the beaches, boardwalks, and apple or pumpkin picking, hoping to unwind from a long work week and spend time with their families. They should not have to sit through hours of traffic as they return home. I am hopeful that a solution to the weekend traffic issue can be reached. These results will positively impact the daily commute as well.”