Toll Collection and Violations
NY-ADR
4/8/20 N.Y. St. Reg. SBA-01-20-00005-A
NEW YORK STATE REGISTER
VOLUME XLII, ISSUE 14
April 08, 2020
RULE MAKING ACTIVITIES
NEW YORK STATE BRIDGE AUTHORITY
NOTICE OF ADOPTION
I.D No. SBA-01-20-00005-A
Filing No. 230
Filing Date. Mar. 20, 2020
Effective Date. May. 01, 2020
Toll Collection and Violations
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE State Administrative Procedure Act, NOTICE is hereby given of the following action:
Action taken:
Amendment of section 201.1; addition of sections 201.7 and 201.8 to Title 21 NYCRR.
Statutory authority:
Public Authorities Law, sections 528(8), (15) and 538
Subject:
Toll collection and violations.
Purpose:
To amend toll collection procedures and implement toll violation enforcement on NYSBA bridges.
Text or summary was published
in the January 8, 2020 issue of the Register, I.D. No. SBA-01-20-00005-A.
Final rule as compared with last published rule:
No changes.
Text of rule and any required statements and analyses may be obtained from:
Brian Bushek, Treasurer and CFO, New York State Bridge Authority, Mid-Hudson Toll Bridge Plaza, 475 Rt. 44/55, Highland, NY 12528, (845) 691-7245, email: [email protected]
Initial Review of Rule
As a rule that requires a RFA, RAFA or JIS, this rule will be initially reviewed in the calendar year 2023, which is no later than the 3rd year after the year in which this rule is being adopted.
Assessment of Public Comment
The Bridge Authority received twenty-seven (27) written comments and heard testimony from four (4) citizens at the public hearing. A transcript of the public hearing and copies of all written comments received are included in the Report of Public Hearing submitted to the Board of Commissioners of the NYS Bridge Authority (NYSBA).
Comment: One citizen asked that the Authority address congestion and backups during rush hours.
Response: The Authority’s capital plan supported by the proposed amendments includes modifications to provide for conversion to all electronic tolling at all of its toll bridges within the next two years.
Comment: Two citizens urged the Authority to consider a new crossing at Hyde Park, State 299.
Response: The Authority’s most recent traffic study indicates that Authority should expect low growth in the near term. The Authority is not proposing an additional crossing at this time.
Comment: Some citizens noted that they would support an increase if tolls are used to maintain the Authority’s bridges.
Response: The Authority does not receive any taxpayer funds from the Federal or State government for the operation and maintenance of its facilities. Under current law all NYSBA tolls stay within the NYSBA bridge system.
Comment: Two citizens objected to increasing tolls. One stated that it would hurt the local economy. One stated that the volume of traffic should make the increase unnecessary.
Response: The Authority’s recent traffic study indicates that, taking into account projected traffic, the proposed increase is needed to fund the long-term maintenance and safe operation of the bridges in support of the Authority’s mission. It is more cost-effective to maintain the bridges than to allow them to deteriorate and necessitate replacement.
Comment: Four citizens supported the increase in tolls for the maintenance of the Authority’s bridges.
Response: The comments support the Authority’s proposal.
Comment: A number of the comments pertained to the proposed merger of the Authority into the NYS Thruway Authority contained in S7508, A9508, being a bill to Amend the Highway Law and the Transportation Law, and included as Part G of the Transportation, Economic Development and Environmental Conservation, Article VII of the NYS Budget Bill for 2021.
Response: Such comments pertain to proposed legislation and are not the subject of the public hearing.
Comment: One citizen requested that the Authority allow 24-hour access on bike and pedestrian paths.
Response: Access is permitted where feasible and consistent with safe operation of the bridges.
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