No TZB Toll Hike in 2016: Thruway Authority

There will be no toll increases on the Tappan Zee Bridge, or any other thruways along the New York system, New York State Thruway Authority Executive Director Robert Megna announced this week.

In addition to no toll increase, the Thruway Authority announced it has created a New NY Bridge Toll Advisory Task Force that will report its recommendations in mid-2016 for the tolls along the new span, which is slated to finished in 2018.

“Given our success in balancing the Thruway’s budget and the infusion of additional funding from Governor Cuomo, we have alleviated the need to implement a toll increase for the remainder of 2015 and for all of 2016,” said Megna in a statement. “The New NY Bridge project has made tremendous progress, which anyone who drives over the Tappan Zee can see first-hand, and we will continue to work to find ways to keep tolls as low as possible for commuters.”

The announcement of no toll increase in 2016 along the Thruway marks the sixth year since the last increase took effect, according to officials. Keeping toll fares at current levels partly was made possible by a $1.285 billion infusion to the Thruway Stabilization Fund included in the 2015-16 state budget. Additionally, the authority took advantage of a record-setting $1.6 billion low-interest Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Independent traffic engineering forecasts also include a significant increase in traffic growth in 2016 of 3.4 million vehicles, or 1.3 percent above 2015, for total traffic volume of 259.3 million vehicles on the system. More vehicles means a projected increase in revenue, according to officials.

The new Toll Advisory Task Force will “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 will be co-chaired by Megna and the Thruway Authority’s Executive Director and the state Department of Transportation Commissioner Matthew J. Driscoll. The panel, which will conduct monthly meetings, and seek public input, is expected to report its findings in mid-2016. The other members of the Toll Advisory Task Force are:

Gerald D. Jennings, former Mayor of the City of Albany, had a 21-year career as a teacher and high school administrator for the Albany City School District. Prior to his election victory in 1993, Jennings served 13 years as a member of the Common Council representing the 11th ward.

Matthew Rand, managing partner of Better Homes and Gardens, Rand Realty, and Rand Commercial Services along with Hudson United Home Services, previously served on the Boards of the American Red Cross in Greater New York and the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation (HVEDC) and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of People to People.

Joan McDonald, former Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, previously served as the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development and the Chair of Connecticut Innovations; and held senior management positions at New York City Economic Development Corporation; New York City Department of Transportation; MTA Metro-North Railroad; and Jacobs Engineering.

Lawrence C. Salley, Chairman of the White Plains Housing Authority, previously served as the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Transportation and is the Secretary of the African American Men of Westchester. He has been an advocate for social and economic development in Westchester, working for financing for businesses and affordable housing in several New York counties.

William C. Thompson, Jr., former New York City Comptroller, currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Managing Director of Siebert Brandford Shank and Co., where he advises state and local governments on a variety of financial services, including housing, health services and transportation. In 2015, Governor Cuomo appointed Mr. Thompson to Chair of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA).

Photo credit: NYS Thruway Authority