NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A910
SPONSOR: Gibbs TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public authorities law, the environmental conserva-
tion law and the highway law, in relation to memorializing Robert F.
Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos by
renaming certain spans of the Triborough bridge after such men
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill acknowledges the great contribution of Robert F. Kennedy, Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos to the State of New
York and our great nation by renaming certain spans of the Tri-borough
Bridge after such individuals.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill recites the legislative findings and intent to
formally acknowledge the contribution made by Robert F. Kennedy, Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. Section 2 through
12 of the bill amend the sections of law in which the name "Triborough
Bridge" appears in order to rename the bridge which constitutes a series
of.spans and association structures that connect the boroughs of Manhat-
tan, Queens and the Bronx. The bridge over the East River from the
borough of Queens to the borough of Manhattan and the Bronx, over and
across Ward's Island and Randall's Island in said river, shall be known
as the "Robert F. Kennedy Bridge"; over the East River from Randall's
Island in said river to the borough of Manhattan, shall be known as the
"Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge"; and over the Bronx Kill from
Randall's Island in said river to the borough of the Bronx, shall be
known as the "Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Bridge".Section 13 of the bill
provides that occurrences of the name "Triborough Bridge" in laws, regu-
lations, contracts, and other documents, such references or designation
shall be deemed to refer to the Robert F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Camp of bridges, collectively, and no
such laws, regulations, contracts or other documents shall be thereby
impaired in any way. Section 14 of the bill addresses issues regarding
the signage of the Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr.
Pedro Albizu Campos bridges.
Section 15 provides that the bill becomes effective immediately.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
None
JUSTIFICATION:
The legislature recognizes Robert Kennedy by renaming after him a span
of the Triborough Bridge, as a tribute befitting his historic contrib-
ution to the state of New York and the nation. Robert F. Kennedy repres-
ented the state of New York in the United State Senate with great
distinction, from 1965 until his untimely death in 1968, working tire-
lessly to improve the lives of New Yorkers, fighting poverty and advanc-
ing the civil rights movement. The state of New York and our entire
nation were further enriched by Robert F. Kennedy's prior service as the
64th Attorney General of the United States, and trusted advisor to the
President. Common throughout his many works was an effort to bridge the
gaps among persons of diverse racial, ethnic and economic back-
grounds.The legislature further recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
in the 40th year following his tragic assassination by naming after him
a span of the Tri-borough Bridge, as a tribute befitting his historic
contribution to the nation. Dr. King worked tirelessly to improve the
lives of the citizens of this country, fighting segregation and discrim-
ination through non-violent protest and advancing the civil rights move-
ment, until his untimely death in 1968. The state of New York and our
entire Nation was enriched by Dr. King's dedication, example and sacri-
fices. Common throughout his many works was an effort to bridge the gaps
among persons of diverse racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds.The
legislature also recognizes Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, by renaming after
him a span of the Tri-borough bridge, as a tribute befitting his histor-
ic contributions to the nation of Puerto Rico. Dr. Campos was called "El
Maestro" by all who loved him and valued his leadership. He was the
most prominent Puerto Rican political figure of the 20th century and was
instrumental in Puerto Rico's fight for independence until his death in
1965. It would thus be appropriate to recognize Robert F. Kennedy, Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos for their lifelong
service and dedication to the state of New York and our great nation.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
A10709 2008, A.1129 - 2013/2014 A985 2016 A449-2017/18, A267 2019/2020
A4134 2021 A9471 2022
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
This legislation will have minimal budgetary impact, owing to the cost
of signage.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
910
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 11, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GIBBS -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, the environmental conserva-
tion law and the highway law, in relation to memorializing Robert F.
Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos by
renaming certain spans of the Triborough bridge after such men
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature hereby
2 recognizes Robert F. Kennedy by naming after him a span of the Tribor-
3 ough bridge, as a tribute befitting his historic contribution to the
4 state of New York and the nation. Robert F. Kennedy represented the
5 state of New York in the United States Senate with great distinction,
6 from 1965 until his untimely death in 1968, working tirelessly to
7 improve the lives of New Yorkers, fighting poverty and advancing the
8 civil rights movement. The state of New York and our entire nation were
9 further enriched by Robert F. Kennedy's prior service as the sixty-
10 fourth Attorney General of the United States, and trusted advisor to the
11 President. Common throughout his many works was an effort to bridge the
12 gaps among persons of diverse racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds.
13 Accordingly, the legislature hereby names the span of the Triborough
14 bridge which stretches over the East river from the borough of Queens to
15 Ward's Island the Robert F. Kennedy bridge.
16 The legislature further recognizes Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in
17 this fifty-fourth year following his tragic assassination, by naming
18 after him a span of the Triborough bridge, as a tribute befitting his
19 historic contributions to the nation. Dr. King worked tirelessly to
20 improve the lives of the citizens of this country, fighting segregation
21 and discrimination through non-violent protest and advancing the civil
22 rights movement, until his untimely death in 1968. The state of New York
23 and our entire nation were enriched by Dr. King's dedication, example
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01913-01-3
A. 910 2
1 and sacrifices. Common throughout his many works was an effort to bridge
2 the gaps among persons of diverse racial, ethnic and economic back-
3 grounds. Accordingly, the legislature hereby names the span of the
4 Triborough bridge which stretches from Randall's Island to Manhattan the
5 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. bridge.
6 The legislature also hereby recognizes Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos, by
7 naming after him a span of the Triborough bridge, as a tribute befitting
8 his historic contributions to the nation of Puerto Rico. Dr. Albizu
9 Campos, the most prominent Puerto Rican political figure of the 20th
10 century, was instrumental in Puerto Rico's fight for independence until
11 his death in 1965. Accordingly, the legislature hereby names the span of
12 the Triborough bridge which stretches from Randall's Island to the Bronx
13 the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos bridge.
14 § 2. Paragraph (a) of subdivision 9 of section 553 of the public
15 authorities law, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2008, is
16 amended to read as follows:
17 (a) [a bridge] three bridges heretofore constructed[, known as Robert
18 F. Kennedy bridge,] over the East river from the borough of Queens to
19 [the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx, over and across] Ward's island
20 [and Randall's island in said river], shall be known as the Robert F.
21 Kennedy bridge; over the East river from Randall's island in said river
22 to the borough of Manhattan, shall be known as the Dr. Martin Luther
23 King, Jr. bridge; and over the Bronx Kill from Randall's island in said
24 river to the borough of the Bronx, shall be known as the Dr. Pedro Albi-
25 zu Campos bridge, together with such incidental bridges and structures
26 as shall be necessary or convenient in order to give access from the
27 [bridge] bridges to both of said islands, together with approaches to
28 said bridges (herein collectively referred to as the "[Robert F. Kenne-
29 dy] Tribute bridge project"); and
30 § 3. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subdivision 10 of section 553 of the
31 public authorities law, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2008,
32 are amended to read as follows:
33 (a) in the case of the [Robert F. Kennedy] Tribute bridge project and
34 the Whitestone bridge project to pay to the city not exceeding thirty-
35 five per centum of the cost (including awards for damages and expenses)
36 of the acquisition of land for the widening of existing roads, streets,
37 parkways or avenues and for new roads, streets, parkways or avenues,
38 connecting with the approaches.
39 (b) to purchase from the persons, partnerships, associations or corpo-
40 rations who were the owners of any land acquired for the widening of
41 existing roads, streets, parkways or avenues or for new roads, streets,
42 parkways or avenues connecting with the approaches or of any interest in
43 such land at the date title to such land was vested in the city in any
44 proceeding heretofore or hereafter instituted for the acquisition there-
45 of by condemnation, or from their successors in interest or legal repre-
46 sentatives, their right, title, interest and/or claim in and to the
47 award or awards or any part thereof to be made in such proceeding after
48 the date of such purchase, and to take an assignment thereof to the
49 authority, provided, however, that in the case of the [Robert F. Kenne-
50 dy] Tribute bridge project and the Whitestone bridge project the aggre-
51 gate amount expended by the authority on account of all such purchases
52 together with the aggregate amount paid to the city in accordance with
53 paragraph (a) of this subdivision, shall not exceed thirty-five per
54 centum of the cost (including awards for damages and expenses) of the
55 acquisition of land for the widening of existing roads, streets, park-
A. 910 3
1 ways or avenues, and for new roads, streets, parkways or avenues,
2 connecting with the approaches,
3 § 4. Subdivision 2 of section 563 of the public authorities law, as
4 amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as
5 follows:
6 2. The state of New York does covenant and agree with the holders of
7 any bonds issued after January first, nineteen hundred forty that no
8 tunnel, bridge, parkway, causeway, street, road, highway or other
9 connection for vehicular traffic (other than one of the projects), which
10 will be competitive with the [Robert F. Kennedy] Tribute bridge project
11 or the Whitestone bridge project or the Throgs Neck bridge project or
12 the Marine parkway bridge project or the Cross Bay parkway bridge
13 project will be constructed or maintained until the bonds together with
14 interest thereon, interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and
15 all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by
16 or on behalf of the bondholders, are fully met and discharged; provided
17 that a tunnel, bridge, parkway, causeway, street, road, highway or other
18 connection for vehicular traffic shall be considered as competitive with
19 the [Robert F. Kennedy] Tribute bridge project or Whitestone bridge
20 project or the Throgs Neck bridge project only if it shall form a
21 connection for vehicular traffic over, under, or across the East river
22 north of an extension to the east of the center line of Seventy-third
23 street in the borough of Manhattan, and shall be considered as compet-
24 itive with the Marine parkway bridge project or Cross Bay parkway bridge
25 project only if such tunnel, bridge, parkway, causeway, street, road,
26 highway or other connection for vehicular traffic shall form a
27 connection for vehicular traffic with Rockaway peninsula across any part
28 of the waters of Jamaica bay or Rockaway inlet west of seventy-three
29 degrees, forty-six minutes of west longitude. The covenant herein
30 contained restricting competitive traffic connections with any project
31 or projects shall be only for the benefit of the holders of bonds
32 secured in whole or in part by the pledge of the revenues of such
33 project or projects. All covenants of the state made with the holders
34 of bonds issued before January first, nineteen hundred and forty, are
35 hereby confirmed and shall not be affected hereby.
36 § 5. Subdivision 4 of section 13-0341 of the environmental conserva-
37 tion law, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2008, is amended to
38 read as follows:
39 4. In the Harlem River and the East River east of the Robert F. Kenne-
40 dy [Bridge], Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
41 Bridges and in Long Island Sound west of a line drawn from Hewlett's
42 (King's) Point to the north end of Hart Island, thence to the south end
43 of Glen Island, and in their adjacent bays, coves, creeks and confluent
44 waters.
45 § 6. Subdivision 3 of section 13-0343 of the environmental conserva-
46 tion law, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2008, is amended to
47 read as follows:
48 3. In the Harlem River and the East River east of the Robert F. Kenne-
49 dy [Bridge], Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
50 Bridges and in Long Island Sound west of a line drawn from Hewlett's
51 (King's) Point to the north end of Hart Island, thence to the south end
52 of Glen Island, and in their adjacent bays, coves, creeks and confluent
53 waters, only such nets as are used to take lobsters or crabs may be
54 used.
A. 910 4
1 § 7. Subdivision 6 of section 13-0347 of the environmental conserva-
2 tion law, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws of 2008, is amended to
3 read as follows:
4 6. In all waters from the Robert F. Kennedy [bridge], Dr. Martin Luth-
5 er King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Bridges west through the East
6 River, Harlem River and those portions of the Hudson River south of the
7 George Washington bridge to a line drawn from Rockaway Point to Romer
8 Shoals lighthouse, no person shall use a net to take fish, except that
9 landing nets and nets of not more than 10 feet in length, operated by
10 hand, may be used to take bait and shrimp, and cast nets may be used to
11 take Atlantic menhaden and mullets as provided in subdivision one of
12 section 13-0343 of this title.
13 § 8. The paragraph relating to interstate route connection 512 of
14 section 340-a of the highway law, as amended by chapter 288 of the laws
15 of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
16 Interstate Route Connection 512. Staten Island expressway from
17 Goethals bridge approach to Verrazzano-Narrows bridge approach, Brook-
18 lyn-Queens expressway from Verrazzano-Narrows bridge approach to Grand
19 Central parkway, Grand Central parkway from Brooklyn-Queens expressway
20 to [Robert F. Kennedy] the Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos bridge approach,
21 Major Deegan expressway from Robert F. Kennedy bridge approach to the
22 Westchester county line connecting with interstate route 502.
23 § 9. The paragraph relating to interstate route connection 516 of
24 section 340-a of the highway law, as amended by chapter 453 of the laws
25 of 2008, is amended to read as follows:
26 Interstate Route Connection 516. Bruckner expressway from [Robert F.
27 Kennedy] Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos bridge approach to Cross-Bronx express-
28 way.
29 § 10. Section 349-f of the highway law, as amended by chapter 288 of
30 the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
31 § 349-f. New York city routes. The following existing or proposed main
32 routes or thoroughfares, are designated herein, as aforesaid, viz.:
33 New England thruway from the Westchester county line to Bruckner
34 expressway; Bruckner expressway from New England thruway to [Robert F.
35 Kennedy] Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos bridge approach; Hutchinson river park-
36 way from the Westchester county line to the Bronx-Whitestone bridge
37 approach; Bronx river parkway from the Westchester county line to Bruck-
38 ner expressway; Henry Hudson parkway from the Westchester county line to
39 Miller highway excepting the Henry Hudson bridge, provided that no
40 portion of this route from West Seventy-second street to the Cross Bronx
41 expressway shall be constructed or reconstructed so as to encroach in
42 any way on or over any land mapped or used for park purposes except for
43 such temporary encroachment of no more than ten feet in width from
44 seventy-third street to seventy-sixth street as may be essential during
45 and for the purpose of reconstruction or repair of the existing roadway
46 following which there shall be full restoration of park land; Major
47 Deegan expressway from the [Robert F. Kennedy] Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos
48 bridge to Central Park avenue at the Westchester county line together
49 with a connection to Broadway and along Broadway to Manhattan college
50 parkway; Cross Bronx expressway from George Washington bridge approach
51 to Throgs Neck bridge; Throgs Neck expressway from Bruckner expressway
52 to Throgs Neck bridge; Arthur V. Sheridan expressway from Cross-Bronx
53 expressway to Bruckner expressway; Mosholu parkway from Henry Hudson
54 parkway to Bronx river parkway; Bronx and Pelham parkway from Bronx
55 river parkway to New England thruway; Boston road from Bronx and Pelham
56 parkway to New England thruway; Miller highway from Henry Hudson parkway
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1 to the Hugh L. Carey tunnel; and from Hugh L. Carey tunnel to Brooklyn-
2 Queens expressway; Franklin D. Roosevelt drive from the Hugh L. Carey
3 tunnel to [Robert F. Kennedy] the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. bridge
4 approach; Harlem river drive from [Robert F. Kennedy] the Dr. Martin
5 Luther King, Jr. bridge approach to George Washington bridge approach;
6 Belt parkway including Gowanus parkway to Third avenue and Sixtieth
7 street, Leif Erikson drive to Knapp street, Shore parkway, Belt parkway,
8 Southern parkway and Cross Island parkway from Hugh L. Carey tunnel to
9 Bronx-Whitestone bridge approach; Nassau expressway from Southern park-
10 way to the Nassau county line; Brooklyn-Queens expressway from Gowanus
11 expressway to Grand Central parkway; Prospect expressway from Gowanus
12 expressway to Ocean parkway; Ocean parkway from Prospect expressway to
13 Shore parkway; Interborough parkway from Grand Central Parkway to Belt
14 parkway; Gowanus expressway from the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge to Third
15 avenue at Gowanus parkway; Third Avenue from Gowanus expressway to
16 Hamilton avenue; Hamilton Avenue from Third Avenue to Hugh L. Carey
17 tunnel; Queens boulevard from Queensborough bridge approach to Van Wyck
18 expressway; Van Wyck expressway from Whitestone expressway, including a
19 connection to Grand Central parkway, to John F. Kennedy international
20 airport; Woodhaven boulevard from Queens boulevard to Cross Bay parkway
21 bridge northerly approach; Cross Bay parkway from Cross Bay bridge
22 southerly approach to [Short] Shore Front parkway; Shore Front parkway
23 from Cross Bay parkway generally along the shore line of the Atlantic
24 ocean to the Nassau expressway at the Nassau county line; Queens-Midtown
25 expressway from Queens-Midtown tunnel approach to Queens Boulevard;
26 Horace Harding expressway from Queens Boulevard to the Nassau county
27 line; a connection between Brooklyn-Queens expressway and Northern
28 boulevard in the vicinity of Grand Central parkway; Grand Central park-
29 way from Robert F. Kennedy bridge approach to Nassau county line; White-
30 stone expressway from Bronx-Whitestone bridge approach to Van Wyck
31 expressway and continuing to Grand Central parkway; Clearview expressway
32 from Throgs Neck bridge to Nassau expressway; Richmond parkway from
33 Staten Island expressway to Outerbridge crossing approach; Staten Island
34 expressway from Goethals bridge to the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge with a
35 connection to Bayonne bridge; Willowbrook parkway from Staten Island
36 expressway to Great Kills park; West Shore expressway from Staten Island
37 expressway to Outerbridge crossing; Shore Front drive northerly from the
38 terminus of West Shore expressway at Staten Island expressway, thence
39 generally along the shore lines of Kill Van Kull, the Narrows, Lower New
40 York bay and Raritan bay to the approach to Outerbridge crossing.
41 § 11. Terms occurring in laws, regulations, contracts and other docu-
42 ments. Whenever Triborough bridge is referred to or designated in any
43 law, regulation, contract or document, such reference or designation
44 shall be deemed to refer to the Robert F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther
45 King, Jr. and Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos bridges, collectively, and no
46 such laws, regulations, contracts or other documents shall be thereby
47 impaired in any way.
48 § 12. The New York state department of transportation, the New York
49 city department of transportation and the Triborough bridge and tunnel
50 authority shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate
51 signage in conformance with paragraph (a) of subdivision 9 of section
52 553 of the public authorities law, as amended by section two of this act
53 within such time and in such manner as they shall deem appropriate.
54 § 13. This act shall take effect immediately.
