Raia: Stop Increasing Tolls, We Need Answers

Press Release from the Office of Assemblyman Andrew Raia

Andrew Raia is demanding that an investigation be launched into the funding of the new Tappan Zee Bridge. With a whirlwind of rumors surrounding the Thruway Authority’s proposal to hike tolls, Raia is trying to find out exactly what funding already exists for the bridge, if a toll increase is necessary and what, if any, kind of financial plan exists for the construction of the new bridge.

“Long Islanders are already taxed to death. We are the most taxed citizens in the nation. Increasing the tolls on the most traversed highways and bridges will only serve to increase the financial burden on our families,” said Raia. “This bridge is estimated to cost almost $4 billion, but we have yet to see a clear cut plan to pay for it. Long Islanders depend on the bridges like the Throgs Neck and Whitestone. We can’t afford a toll increase here and be on the hook for a project of this size that we know little to nothing about.”

On top of these rumored toll increases, a $255 million loan from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund was approved for the multi-billion dollar bridge project. Given that this fund is normally used as a means of financing environmental restoration projects, Raia joined many environmental advocates and expressed outrage over this clear misuse of state funds.

“The Clean Water Fund was not intended to be a way of subsidizing inadequately planned major infrastructure projects. In fact, to use this money for anything other than environmental protection projects is probably illegal. This money could be used instead to combat excessive water pollution on Long Island. It’s becoming quite evident that a financial plan for this bridge does not actually exist; if that’s not the case, New Yorkers deserve to see whatever plan is in place. A transparent process is critical with an undertaking of this magnitude.”