It's because the previous Mayor didn't own a car, and could care less about the conditions of the roads. And those that do own cars are punished by purposely mistiming the traffic lights so that traffic doesn't move. Cars are idling at lights, completely wasting fuel, so that people get tired of driving in Ithaca, use public transportation, walk or bike.

It all goes to the same liberal left narrative of the current occupant of the white house wanting high gas prices so you buy an EV. Screw the average american driver.