Tolls on MTA Rockaways Bridges Suspended

Loss of A Train Left Rockaways Residents With No Transit Alternative

Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced the suspension of tolls on the Marine Parkway – Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge and the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge to the Rockaways, retroactive to when the bridges reopened after the storm.

“The people of the Rockaways suffered tremendously from Hurricane Sandy, and with the loss of A train service, there is no easy way for many of them to get back and forth to the rest of New York,” Governor Cuomo said.

“We are taking action to suspend these tolls to make the recovery easier for both Rockaways residents and the people helping them.”

The $3.25 cash toll and $1.80 E-ZPass toll for cars on both bridges will be suspended immediately tonight, MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota said. E-ZPass tolls paid since the bridges reopened will be retroactively credited back to their customers’ accounts.

The suspensions will last through the end of November as recovery efforts continue.

The Marine Parkway – Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge closed in advance of Hurricane Sandy at 6:58 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29, and reopened at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 30. The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge closed in advance of Hurricane Sandy at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 29 and reopened at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

Both bridges are operated by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, a unit of the MTA commonly known as MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Under the state Public Authorities Law and the related covenants with holders of TBTA bonds, the MTA is legally required to charge tolls to all users of the bridge with very few exceptions.

Governor Cuomo consulted with Senate Majority Leader Skelos and Speaker Sheldon Silver and they concurred, thus satisfying the MTA’s legal requirements.

“It is totally appropriate that we suspend the tolls on the bridges leading to the Rockaways so that residents and recovery workers have easier access to and from this area that was so heavily devastated by the storm,” stated Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver added, “Removing the tolls on these bridges is a common sense step to help ease the burden of the citizens of the Rockaways in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. We are pleased to work with the Governor, who has demonstrated tremendous leadership throughout this crisis, to help our communities that have been so devastated by this terrible storm.”

850 Out-of-State National Guard Member Arrive in New York 

More than 850 soldiers and 250 vehicles from Army National Guard units from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Massachusetts arrived in New York at noon today to assist in Hurricane Sandy response efforts.

These troops, who will fall under the command of Governor Cuomo, will be ready for missions on Monday, November 5. They bring additional specialized equipment and capabilities for various missions. 

“The New York Army and Air National Guard has been a powerful force in the State’s efforts to prepare and respond to the Storm,” Governor Cuomo said.

“As we work to recover our communities, these additional troops and equipment will be invaluable assets, and I thank the governors of these five states for their quick response to send assistance to the State of New York.”

The units which will begin arriving in New York City today are:

The 272^nd Military Police Company of the Massachusetts Army National Guard which will bring 170 Soldiers and 38 vehicles;

The 28^th Military Police Company of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard which will bring 170 Soldiers and 38 vehicles;

The 1484^th Truck Company of the Ohio Army National Guard which will bring 176 Soldiers and 72 vehicles;

The 1049^th Truck Company of the Delaware Army National Guard which will bring 176 Soldiers and 72 vehicles;

And Company A of the Brigade Support Battalion of the 2^nd Brigade 28^th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard which will bring 36 vehicles and 170 soldiers.

These units, provided by the other states, bring military trucks and humvees which are useful for running food and water distribution sites, augmenting police and fire operations, and doing health and welfare checks in neighborhoods at the direction of civilian emergency responders. They will be housed in a logistics support area at Floyd Bennett Field in Queens. 

New York requested the additional units through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) system. EMAC agreements allow the governor of one state to send personnel, equipment, and commodities to help disaster relief efforts in other states. When National Guard units of one state are lent to another state, they fall under the command of the governor of the receiving state.

So far, the New York National Guard has mobilized more than 3,300 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen, with more National Guard members available for deployment.