Politics & Government

Throgs Neck Bridge Toll Plaza Changes Coming Soon

If you pay your toll in cash to go over the Throgs Neck Bridge into Queens, as of Monday, Dec. 9, stay to the right -- that's where all cash lanes will be, the MTA says.

Posted by David Gurliacci

Do you drive over the Throgs Neck Bridge? Metro-North just announced on Nov. 26 that if you're paying at the toll booth, you'd better stay to the right when going Queens-bound, starting next week -- on Monday, Dec. 9.

Here's the news release from the Metro-North website:

Drivers heading into Queens on the Throgs Neck Bridge will soon need to stay to the right if they plan on paying at the toll booth. Cash lanes at the Queens-bound Throgs Neck Bridge will be moved to the right side of the plaza beginning Monday, Dec. 9. This new traffic configuration is being put in place in an effort to improve traffic flow at the toll plaza.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After a similar change was made in August at the Bronx-Whitestone Queens-bound plaza, MTA Bridges and Tunnels Traffic Engineers and Operations personnel concluded that grouping cash lanes to the right side of the plaza could maximize toll plaza efficiency at the Throgs Neck Bridge as well.

“Moving the slower cash vehicles which take more time to process and create longer queues to one side of the toll plaza will improve traffic flow for the majority of drivers who now use E-ZPass,” said Acting Vice President of Operations Patrick Parisi.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Weekday E-ZPass use at the Throgs Neck Bridge has increased 6.5 percent since 2010 to 83 percent in 2012. There are about 90,000 E-ZPass customers versus 19,000 cash customers on an average weekday at the Throgs Neck Bridge.

The change will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 9. Permanent signs will be posted along the roadways leading into the southbound plaza directing customers to keep right for cash and left for E-ZPass. Prior to the change, flyers will be handed out in cash lanes and electronic message signs will be in place noting the change.



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