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When the new Tappan Zee Bridge is built tolls could be as high as $15. This will have a negative impact on everyone: residents, businesses, and working people.  Residents of both counties need reasonable access across the bridge.  NYS needs to find a way to support funding alternatives for the bridge without the need to place an unfair and unnecessary burden on the local community and its economy.
 
This letter is being written to encourage readers to write to the Governor, head of the NYS Thruway Authority, the County Executives of Westchester and Rockland and ask them to push for discounts on the Tappan Zee Bridge once the new bridge is built. Decisions regarding the bridge will be made shortly.  The new bridge must address the issue of tolls and a fair and equitable plan for residents of Westchester and Rockland Counties – not just for commuters but for all trips.  In Buffalo the state offers residents of Buffalo a significant discount on the Grand Island Bridge.  As you will note from the Thruway Authority provisions posted on their website below:  Grand Island residents pay only 9 cents to cross the Grand Island Bridges.  Non residents pay $1 per trip! Westchester residents are currently subsidizing the bridge toll fees for residents of the Buffalo area.  Why can’t they do the same for us?  It’s not fair for the state to provide significant toll reductions for people upstate and not do the same for people downstate.
 
Please write to the following people:
 
 
 
Governor Andrew Cuomo
Executive Chamber
Albany, NY  12224
 
 
 
C. Scott Vanderhoef
Rockland County Executive
11 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY  10956
 
 
 
 

Howard Milstein, Chairman
NYS Thruway Authority
200 Southern Blvd.
P.O. Box 189
Albany, NY 12201-0189
 
Thomas J. Madison, Jr., Executive Director
NYS Thruway Authority
200 Southern Blvd.
P.O. Box 189
Albany, NY 12201-0189
 
Rob Astorino
Westchester County Executive
148 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY  10601
 
 
Please also send letters to your State Senator/Assemblyman.  I would appreciate a copy of the letter.
 
The following is from the NYS Thruway Authority website:  Thruway Grand Island Resident**: Receive a $0.91 discount per trip ($0.09 versus the cash $1.00 per trip) on the Grand Island Bridges. Proof of Grand Island residency required. No minimum usage is required. Residency status is subject to periodic review. If this plan is selected, the $25 required prepayment  in Box B of application is waived. Plan Code: (GIR) - Required Prepayment ($5.00).  * Attach a copy of one of the following: vehicle registration, driver's license, or utility bill. A vehicle registration may be used on only one E-ZPass account. Residency status is subject to periodic review.   ** You must provide a copy of your driver's license, utility bill or lease agreement AND a copy of your vehicle registration for each E-ZPass Tag requested. A vehicle registration may be used on only one E-ZPass account. Residency status is subject to periodic review.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Paul J. Feiner
Greenburgh Town Supervisor