New NY Bridge Tolls: Where are the State's Task Force Hearings?

NYACK, NY —Sen. David Carlucci called on the NYS Thruway Authority to uphold its commitment to create a toll task force and to hold hearings on the topic of a resident toll discount as well as other cost-saving measures for toll-payers on the New NY Bridge.

Unfortunately the Thruway Authority is yet to uphold its commitment, Carlucci said after a press conference Wednesday.

“Rockland and Westchester residents are very excited for the new state-of-the-art Tappan Zee Bridge, however if we can not afford to cross it, it will devastate our economy," he said.

Similar local-discount programs exist elsewhere in the state, including the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, where residents are charged $5.50 instead of the standard $16 cash rate.

Carlucci, a Democrat from Rockland/Westchester counties, pointed out that when he worked to secure a toll freeze for the Tappan Zee Bridge that will last until 2020, he received a written commitment from the Thruway Authority to convene a toll Task Force and hold public hearings by the end of 2016.

In 2012, Larry Schwartz, at the time Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s secretary appointed to oversee the project, told Rocklanders the toll would most like be about $14 for cash commuters and slightly less for E-ZPass members.

The current toll is $5 round-trip, $4.75 with EZ-Pass.

In November 2015, the Thruway Authority announced it had created a New NY Bridge Toll Advisory Task Force for the tolls along the new span, which is expected to be finished on schedule in 2018.

The Toll Advisory Task Force was to “review toll rates, potential commuter discount options, a resident discount program and commercial vehicle rates to secure additional funding for the bridge.” The Task Force was to be co-chaired by New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Robert Megna and the state Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll. The panel, which was to conduct monthly meetings and seek public input, was expected to report its findings in mid-2016.

SEE ALSO: Nyack Merchants Concerned About TZ Toll Hike

Carlucci was joined at the Tappan Zee Bridge Viewing Platform in Nyack by other local residents who echoed his call to hold a hearing.

Photo: Nyack Deputy Mayor Don Hammond, Sen. David Carlucci and Orrin Getz, a member of the Metro North Commuter Rail Council