MID-HUDSON BRIDGES TOLL HIKES LOOM
State authorities propose annual increases over the next four years
Traveling over the Hudson River will be more expensive in each of the next four years, as the state Bridge Authority and state Thruway Authority plan to increase tolls on most spans between New York City and Catskill.
The increases were announced in separate press releases that said hikes on the five state Bridge Authority crossings will begin in May 2020, increasing from $1.50 to $1.75 for cash customers and from $1.25 to $1.35 for E-Z Pass users.
For the Kingston-Rhinecliff, Mid-Hudson Rip Van Winkle, Newburgh-Beacon and Bear Mountain bridges, rates for
E-Z Pass users would then increase to $1.45 in 2021, $1.55 in 2022 and $1.65 in 2023. Cash tolls for the five bridges will remain at $1.75 in 2021 before increasing to $2 in 2022 and $2.15 in 2023.
State Thruway Authority officials have announced that there will be public hearings for proposed toll increases on the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which spans the river between Nyack and Tarrytown. The proposed increases would hike fees for everyone crossing the span except for Rockland and Westchester County residents who use E-Z Pass.
Officials said the Cuomo Bridge tolls will require at least three hearings, but dates and locations have not been
scheduled.
Under the plan, the current $4.75 toll for state E-Z Pass users would be unchanged in for residents of Rockland and Westchester counties. For other vehicles, the proposed increased include having tolls:
• Rise from $4.75 to $5.25 in 2021 and $5.75 in 2022 for all other state
residents with E-Z Pass accounts.
• Go from $5 to $6.04 in 2021 and $6.61 in 2022 for out-of-state E-Z Pass users.
• Increase from $5 to $6.83 in 2021 and $7.48 in 2022 for tolls billed through the mail.
• Go from $3 to $3.15 in 2021 and $3.45 in 2022 for the commuter discount program.
Tractor-trailers going over the Cuomo Bridge would have rates that:
• Increase during
peak traffic periods from $32.75 to $42.90 in 2021 and $55.77 in 2022 for E-Z Pass users from within the state. For off-peak perods, it would go from $16.38 to $21.45 in 2021 and $27.89 in 2022.
• Rise from $32.75 to $49.34 in 2021 and $64.14 in 2022 for E-Z Pass users from out of state regardless of the traffic period. Tolls billed through the mail would have the $32.75 toll increase to $55.77 in 2021 and $72.51 in 2022.