NYSTA considering raising tolls to fund Tappan Zee Bridge replacement

[WNYroadgeek]

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/167827/37/A-Thruway-Toll-Hike-Down-The-Road-

It's an interesting proposition, but I don't know how this would be received by the general public, especially those who live upstate, and thus have no need for the Tappan Zee, nor its' proposed replacement.

[Duke87]

Compared to some other toll roads, the Thruway is fairly cheap. So, a little toll hike is nothing outrageous.

Of course, considering we're just talking about replacing the bridge here, raising the bridge toll and leaving everything else alone would be logical. Question is whether a reasonable hike at just the bridge could raise the necessary revenue. If not, perhaps bumping Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Spring Valley up a bit while leaving the mainline alone would be more palatable since then at least the tolls in question are still in the general area.

[froggie]

They could do what would politically be suicide and reinstitute passenger car tolls south of Harriman.  If they're going to raise tolls systemwide, they'd better well plan some further improvements upstate...which of course would take away from the revenue available for the Tappan Zee bridge.

[cpzilliacus]

They could do what would politically be suicide and reinstitute passenger car tolls south of Harriman.  If they're going to raise tolls systemwide, they'd better well plan some further improvements upstate...which of course would take away from the revenue available for the Tappan Zee bridge.

One (relatively easy and relatively cheap) way to do this is to start charging tolls of all vehicles (not just trucks) passing the I-87 northbound (compass westbound) Spring Valley toll barrier.

[Alps]

They could do what would politically be suicide and reinstitute passenger car tolls south of Harriman.  If they're going to raise tolls systemwide, they'd better well plan some further improvements upstate...which of course would take away from the revenue available for the Tappan Zee bridge.

One (relatively easy and relatively cheap) way to do this is to start charging tolls of all vehicles (not just trucks) passing the I-87 northbound (compass westbound) Spring Valley toll barrier.

That is exactly what froggie said... because that was the former function of Spring Valley and as far as I know the only toll that was there before but not now. I say if they do this, they should also toll the Garden State Parkway Extension so that they don't lose revenue from northern NJ travelers using the TZB. At this point, even a $3 barrier toll is still much cheaper (plus $5 TZB toll) than using the Port Authority crossings... just gotta make sure Bear Mountain doesn't suffer.