The Verrazzano–Narrows Bridge is now the nation’s most expensive bridge to cross after an MTA toll hike ratcheted up the rate to $19 in late March. The one-way non-E-ZPass toll beat out the $18 it takes to cross Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which is 23 miles long. The Verrazzano, which is 2½ miles long, previously cost $17 to go from Brooklyn to Staten Island. Under the new toll, drivers with E-ZPass will be charged $12.24 – up from $11.52.
Staten Island residents were spared the hike and will still pay only $5.50 under a rebate program. That cost was slated to jump to nearly $6, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature decided at the last minute to pony up $6 million a year to keep the tolls low for folks living on Staten Island.
Some Brooklynites are complaining they are not getting a fair shake.
“Last time I checked, a bridge has two sides. It is RIDICULOUS that the discounts offered to Staten Island residents have NEVER been offered to Brooklyn residents,” Councilman Justin Brannan recently tweeted.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, who represents both sides of the bridge, defended the Forgotten Borough’s special treatment: “That bridge is our only way to connect. Staten Island is absolutely deserving of the credit. I’m also advocating for Brooklyn residents, because no one should be paying $19 to drive over a bridge to go to work.”
Other major city crossings seeing a tall increase were the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (formerly the Triborough), Throgs Neck Bridge and Queens Midtown Tunnel – all now at $9.50, or $6.12 with E-ZPass.
Source: New York Post
