Councilman requesting DOT open Staten Island-bound HOV lane earlier on Gowanus to ease early holiday rush

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Councilman David Carr (R-Mid Island) is urging the York state Department of Transportation (DOT) to open the Staten Island-bound HOV lane on the Gowanus Expressway earlier for the holidays.

According to a press release, the MTA will be running early express bus service on select days during the two weeks leading up to the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Carr said that given the fact that an earlier evening rush should be anticipated, the Staten Island-bound HOV lane should be opened earlier, as it will help get borough residents home more quickly. This reportedly didn’t happen when this earlier peak service was offered in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“I respectfully request that the Staten Island-bound HOV lane on the Gowanus Expressway be opened early on days where the MTA runs early express bus service,” Carr wrote to the DOT. “Please accord this request every consideration consistent with your rules and regulations.”