February 14, 2026 NEW YORK, NY For years, the "Streets Master Plan" was gathering dust in City Hall, stifled by back-room deals and political favors. That era ended Friday.

In a move that signals a massive shift in how New York City breathes and moves, Mayor Zohran Mamdani stood at a Bronx bus depot to announce the resurrection of four major transit projects previously killed or stalled. It’s a clear message: the era of the car-centric "bargaining chip" is over.

1. The Fordham Road Resurrection

The crown jewel of this announcement is the return of offset bus lanes to Fordham Road. As the Bronx's busiest corridor, the route serves 130,000 daily riders who currently suffer through "walking speed" commutes of 4 mph.

Mamdani isn't just looking for a slight nudge in speed; he’s set a 20% increase as the administration’s "North Star." By installing dedicated lanes set off from the curb, the city aims to cut the chaos of double-parked cars and turning vehicles that have turned the Bronx's main artery into a parking lot.

2. Closing the "Missing Link" in Brooklyn

Cyclists in Brooklyn have long lamented the gap in Ashland Place. Previously axed following alleged interference from the previous administration to benefit a local developer, the redesign is officially back on.

• The Goal: A continuous, protected cycling route stretching from Sunset Park to Dumbo.

• The Impact: It connects the borough’s north-south transit spine, linking Greenpoint and Queens via a two-way protected lane.

3. Safety First: Central Brooklyn & The South

The Mayor also greenlit protected lanes for Brooklyn and Kingston Avenues, an area dense with 10 schools that has been a hotspot for traffic injuries. Additionally, a massive bike network expansion is moving forward across Midwood, Flatbush, and East Flatbush, eventually creating a 16-corridor safety web.

"Outcomes, Not Optics"

"We are no longer allowing the safety of New Yorkers to be treated as a bargaining chip," Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn stated, taking a direct jab at the previous administration's "back-room deals." Work is set to begin as soon as the weather breaks.

THE BILL COMES DUE: The $7 Billion Fiscal Shadow

While the Mayor wins points with transit advocates, the city’s checkbook is bleeding. Even as Mamdani pushes for "free buses," a fiscal storm is brewing.

The "Tax the Rich" Battle: Mamdani is doubling down on a 2% personal income tax hike for the wealthy and a corporate tax increase to close a looming $7 billion deficit. However, the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) sent a blistering letter Friday warning that the city doesn't have a revenue problem—it has a "spending problem."

"The city’s fiscal challenges stem more from excessive spending growth rather than insufficient revenues," the CBC warned, noting that NYC already carries the nation's heaviest tax burden.

A Delicate Dance with Albany

Despite his conviction, Mamdani is showing a rare flash of political pragmatism. Reports indicate he may skip an upcoming "Tax the Rich" rally to avoid "antagonizing" Governor Kathy Hochul. With key agenda items like universal child care hanging in the balance, the Mayor knows he can't fix the streets if he burns the bridges to Albany.

The Bottom Line: New York's streets are getting faster, but the political and fiscal maneuvers behind the scenes are moving even quicker.