MID-HUDSON – People are apparently paying attention and staying off the roads unless they absolutely must as is evidenced by a 23.68 percent decline in traffic in March on the five bridges operated by the New York State Bridge Authority. Corresponding revenue fell by 17.49 percent.
The largest percentage decline in traffic was on the Mid-Hudson Bridge followed by the Kingston-Rhinecliff. The least decline was on the Rip-Van Winkle.
Volume-wise, the Newburgh-Beacon lost over a half-million crossings with the Mid-Hudson traffic declining over 300,000.
State Senator Sue Serino (R, Hyde Park) recently called in the Bridge Authority to delay the increase in tolls, which takes effect now. She contends people are facing enough hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Bridge Authority said the increases would stand, noting they have been properly proposed with ample time for the public to comment and that the added revenue would be needed for maintenance of the bridge spans.
