The Metropolitan Area Planning (MAP) Forum’s
annual meeting, held virtually December 6, featured presentations about a study to reconnect neighborhoods divided by the Cross Bronx Expressway, the future energy demand of freight systems in the region, and local opportunities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The MAP Forum consists of 10 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Council of Governments across Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Reimagining the Cross Bronx
Rochelle Brahalla, Senior Project Manager for the New York City Department of Transportation, presented short-, mid-, and long-term concepts within the draft vision for the Cross Bronx Expressway, including capping the highway. The study was funded with $2 million through the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program.
The draft vision identified 13 potential locations for caps along the Cross Bronx. Some locations that Brahalla highlighted would create open space, improve noise pollution and restore pedestrian connections while reducing vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. Other locations where the highway could be capped would connect two neighborhoods with new park space, expand a playground, and provide direct access to a subway line. Where caps might not be feasible, she said new, wider pedestrian bridges could make walking and biking more pleasurable across the highway.
To learn more, visit
Reimagine the Cross Bronx.
Energy Demand and Freight
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has a goal of reaching net zero emissions for all of its facilities and operations by 2050, according to Stephan Pezdek, Freight Planning Manager at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. To do so, he said, the Port Authority will need to greatly expand measures to cleanly power not only ships, trucks and other vehicles involved in moving freight but its offices, computer systems, and other operations throughout the network. The agency is looking to electrify where it can and explore the use of alternative fuels such as ammonia for powering ships and more.
“A lot of things we see on a regular basis, like long-haul trucks and short-haul deliveries, have bigger emissions footprint than maritime and rail operations,” Pezdek said. Fuel is a large portion of all these operating modes and total operating costs. Investment in production and delivery of next-generation fuels are vital for freight, he said, and currently they’re at a competitive disadvantage locally to creating these without local product and distribution. “This is part of larger supply chain throughout the world that needs to be built up.”
But there are great opportunities for development and growth. “This all sounds doom and gloom but the good thing is we’ve been working at this effort the last 18 months,” Pezdek said. In November, the Port Authority brought together different players from around the world, including fuel providers, the those involved in storage, bunker, and delivery vessels, and more. “Everyone agreed this is a major problem. They’re all starting to strategize as to how to move the effort forward. It takes a lot of understanding, investment, and coordination. Right now, we’re in the process of next steps.”
Prep for World Cup 2026
Zoe Baldwin, vice president, state programs, for the Regional Plan Association (RPA), discussed ways in which municipalities and MPOs can capitalize on the 2026 World Cup, which will feature a record 48 teams, and eight matches played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, including the final.
In her presentation, “Regional Opportunities for FIFA World Cup 2026,” Baldwin implored local and county governments to begin discussions, if they haven’t already, about how to capitalize on events and other benefits for their communities that will outlast the tournament.
Unlike other high-profile events, the World Cup final will draw people beyond just those going to the five-week extravaganza and will be a major happening for people who live here. These events can be used to make the region a “better, cleaner, and greener place to live, work, relax and have fun.”
MPOs could be convening with board members to get an idea of what people are thinking about. “Having these conversations now is very important given the short time available,” she said. There are actions that MPOs can take to facilitate conversations about the broader World Cup event:
- Grant Prioritization: Consider prioritizing parklet, planning, and placemaking grants for communities hosting local events to help them get long-term improvements.
- Street closures: Consider liaising with the Department of Transportation and your members to ensure an easy application and permit process. She suggested using these events to have a broader conversation about placemaking.
- Shuttles: Consider whether there is a role for TMAs and where shuttles could facilitate pedestrian-friendly areas. It’s not just the Meadowlands, Baldwin said, as teams will have training facilities and practices around the region. “These are just more opportunities. People like to visit those facilities around the area and everyone’s going to be soccer mad.”
A recording of the MAP Forum’s annual meeting can be accessed here:
https://youtu.be/HsHWyXlBmJc