MTA to study potential impacts of 2-way toll on Verrazano

[N6 Limited]

http://www.silive.com/news/2017/04/mta_to_study_potential_impact.html

 

 

 

BY RACHEL SHAPIRO 

Rshapiro@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The MTA will study the potential impacts that reinstating a two-way toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge would have on traffic and revenue.

Last month, Rep. Daniel Donovan asked the transit authority to estimate what a return to a two-way toll would look like, given traffic patterns, use of E-ZPass and a conversion to cashless tolling this summer.

The MTA will consider:

-- Will a two-way toll discourage drivers in New Jersey from entering New York City through Staten Island?

-- Will a two-way toll encourage Long Island and Brooklyn drivers to travel to New Jersey through Staten Island instead of through the Manhattan tunnels?

-- What net traffic impact would a two-way toll have on Staten Island and South Brooklyn?

-- Would a two-way tolling structure impact MTA revenue?

Rep. Jerold Nadler, a Democrat whose district includes portions of Manhattan and Brooklyn, has for years blamed traffic in his district on vehicles, mostly trucks, coming through Staten Island because they can avoid the toll. They travel from New Jersey to Staten Island and into Brooklyn or Manhattan, toll-free on the Verrazano and East River crossings, and then take the New Jersey-bound tunnel toll-free back.

 

But they pay a toll on the Staten Island-bound bridges from New Jersey.

Nadler argues having a one-way toll creates an incentive for drivers to change their route and go through neighborhoods they would otherwise avoid.

He is trying to get Donovan (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) on board to support a shift that would affect constituents on both sides of the bridge and both portions of his district.

While the MTA controls the bridge, the direction of the toll is determined federally.

Until 1986, when then-Congressman Guy Molinari got it changed, drivers paid tolls going both ways. Getting an amendment into a federal transportation bill, Molinari sought to end backups on Staten Island caused by cars waiting to pay the toll on the Brooklyn-bound bridge.

While backups are often seen in E-ZPass lanes today, Nadler argues that with E-ZPass and soon-to-be cashless tolling, fewer cars stop (and soon, none will, theoretically) -- putting an end to traffic jams.

Unconvinced, Donovan said he won't support a return to two-way tolling until it's clear the impact will only be positive.

Responding to his request to study the impacts of two-way tolling, the MTA noted it "will be closely monitoring" cashless tolling and issues of revenue, expense, toll enforcement and traffic.

 

"As to your request for the MTA to conduct a study examining revenue and traffic impact of a return to two-way tolling at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, we are certainly willing to look at these potential impacts," wrote Donald Spero, president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels. "Specific issues might include commercial vehicle routes, traffic impact on the Staten Island Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Port Authority of NY & NJ Staten Island crossings. We would also need to analyze the cost impact of such a change."

Want to discuss this report? Click the comment link near this story's headline to join in the conversation.

What do you all think?

[checkmatechamp13]

With cashless tolling on the table, I think it's a no-brainer.

 

Also, it would stop the idiots who talk about the $17 toll as if it's a 2-way toll.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Given the reasons, I support it being studied and agree with Dan Donovan.  Staten Island and areas such as Bay Ridge should not have additional traffic because of people trying to avoid tolls.  

[peacemak3r]

Well it's only $17 if you pay cash. Anyways, I support two way tolling if the road conditions are kept optimal.

[Around the Horn]

Should have been done a long time ago...

[BreeddekalbL]

I wouldn't mind that maybe they can lower the toll

[Ian Lennon]

The one way tolling wasn't the worst idea. Having it opposite of NJ tolls is the obvious problem. If you use a tunnel, or GWB going, and VZ coming back, it's free, if you can avoid the Goethals Bridge. Of course everyone is going to go the free way, especially as expensive as it is. 

[N6 Limited]

The one way tolling wasn't the worst idea. Having it opposite of NJ tolls is the obvious problem. If you use a tunnel, or GWB going, and VZ coming back, it's free, if you can avoid the Goethals Bridge. Of course everyone is going to go the free way, especially as expensive as it is. 

There's no way to drive onto Staten Island for free. The eastbound VZ is free if you use another way to get to Staten Island or NJ, but there is no way to drive through SI from NJ for free since you have to use a Port Authority Crossing.

[peacemak3r]

I'd suspect EZ-Pass pricing would have it at around $10 for the two-way tolling and of course less for residents of Staten Island.

[checkmatechamp13]

I'd suspect EZ-Pass pricing would have it at around $10 for the two-way tolling and of course less for residents of Staten Island.

 

Why would it not be the same price as the other major bridges/tunnels?

 

$8.50 one-way cash

$5.76 one-way EZ Pass

[BrooklynBus]

This is really a no-brainer. It doesn't need any study. With cashless tolling, it is indefensible for one-way tolling to continue under any circumstances.

[peacemak3r]

Why would it not be the same price as the other major bridges/tunnels?

 

$8.50 one-way cash

$5.76 one-way EZ Pass

 

Because they love raising Verrazano's toll anyway, even if it never becomes two-way tolling, I can already foresee a $20 toll one-way. 

[BrooklynBus]

The VZ rises at the same rate as the other brudges. The only time it was more expensive was when it opened at 35 cents each way when the other major bridges were 25 cents each way and for a some years thereafter.