In a Press release yesterday evening, U.S. Representatives Max Rose, Jerrold Nadler, and Nydia Velázquez announced that the House Committee on Appropriations passed legislation that would bring two-way tolling back to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Splitting the toll in half to be paid in both directions which studies have shown would decrease congestion and increase revenue without raising costs on commuters. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) leadership supports the proposal.

Currently, the Verrazzano-Narrows-Bridge is the only bridge in the country with federally mandated one-way tolling, first instituted in the 1980s to cut down on traffic backups from toll gantries. With modern day electronic tolling technology, the need for one-way tolling no longer exists—and by cutting out the loophole that drivers use to avoid paying or minimize the costs of tolls, enacting two-way tolling would cut down on congestion and pollution on Staten Island and could lead to $10 to $15 million in additional annual MTA revenue.

Both the MTA and independent consultants have found that split tolling eliminates incentives for non-commuters to toll-shop around New York City, reducing traffic congestion in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn. Air quality will also be improved as vehicles will divert away from local roads onto main thoroughfares and highways.

“Committee passage is a key first step, and I won’t be satisfied until this isn’t just a law, but the overdue investments we are owed become a reality.” said U.S. Representatives Max Rose of Staten Island -- a sentiment shared by both Jerrold Nadler, and Nydia Velázquez.

The BHA has been advocating for this change and is grateful for the support of our federal representatives, who have fought with us on this issue.