Crossing Henry Hudson Bridge could get cheaper

A transit group’s proposal to lower tolls on bridges including the Henry Hudson Bridge while creating tolls on four other major spans is starting to make waves.

On Tuesday, a group headed by the city’s former Traffic Commissioner Samuel Schwartz called for tolls to be implemented at four bridges that cross the East Harlem River and for toll decreases at the Henry Hudson Bridge and six others.

Move NY said the changes would raise $1.5 billion a year in revenue. The group explained it suggested levying tolls at bridges where there are ample alternative means of transportation and called for decreasing tolls in areas where other forms of transit are not easily available.

In the group’s plan, the cost of crossing the Henry Hudson Bridge would drop by $1 both for those who pay cash and for people who use E-Z passes. Current fees at the site come to $5.50 cash or $2.54 via E-Z Pass.

Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who chairs the Transportation Committee, issued a statement on Tuesday tentatively welcoming Move NY’s proposal.

“Our infrastructure is aging and the funding to improve it is drying up. When we take a moment to examine the funding gaps that currently exist in order to successfully bring our city’s infrastructure into a state of good repair, it becomes clear that we must consider creative solutions to close the gap,” said Mr. Rodriguez, whose district includes part of Marble Hill.

“The innovative Move NY plan helps open those hard but necessary conversations about the future of infrastructure improvement in our state and how best to fund it,” he continued. “With more resources, we can begin to address the inequities in our transit network and begin to connect communities that have been isolated for far too long.”

If the proposal for the Henry Hudson Bridge goes through, it would reverse a trend of steady increases along the route. According to Move NY, the city’s bridges have seen a 17-percent increase in fares since 2010.

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