Provides for discontinuance of the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge toll plaza in the county of Queens

BILL NUMBER:S3924

Title of bill

An act in relation to discontinuing the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge toll plaza

Purpose or general idea of bill

Directs the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to discontinue the Cross Bay Veteran's bridge toll plaza.

Justification

The residents of Rockaway and the surrounding areas, many of whom use the bridge as a local road to travel to and from work, or to take their children to school, pay the only intra-borough toll in the MT A system. Charging a toll on this bridge is the equivalent of charging a toll to cross Broadway in Manhattan, and residents should not have to bear this burden. The bridge divides one community board, police precinct and school district. Residents must pay for the privilege of daily activities such as shopping, picking up mail at the post office, going to the hospital or visiting neighbors. Furthermore, residents have no legitimate travel alternative and the financial impact on economic development and existing business has been devastating.

Prior legislative history

S.5203 2007-2008: Referred to Transportation S.6421 2009-2010: Referred to Corporations, Authorities & Commissions

Fiscal implications

The loss of income to the TBTA has been estimated to be approximately $6.5 million as of 1995, but approximately $4.5 million of that was expended in toll collection and other expenses. In addition, the revenue is expected to be less with the advent of EZ Pass.

Effective date

Thirty days after enactment.