Pol exploring a free ride
Anniversary gift for Verrazzano
This week marks the 500th anniversary of Giovanni da Verrazzano’s arrival in New York Bay, and to commemorate it, drivers should get a toll break on his namesake bridge, a politician says.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island and Brooklyn, was opened in 1964 and named after the Italian explorer, who entered the bay April 17, 1524.
“It’s fitting that the MTA make his namesake bridge free for the residents of the two boroughs it connects on April 17th [Wednesday],” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-SI-Brooklyn), told The Post.
“Verrazzano would be rolling in his grave if he knew about the cash grab this money-hungry agency was conducting in his name, which they even misspelled for decades,” she added, referring to the MTA’s infamous spelling error of the explorer’s last name on its signs, giving him only one z.
He’d probably even sue for defamation,” she quipped.
Resolution issued
Malliotakis has already issued a congressional resolution honoring Verrazzano and acknowledging his discovery of the bay on behalf of the French monarchy.
The MTA did not respond to a Post request for comment.
The agency recently came under fire for trying to collect $750,000 from the New York Road Runners Club to offset the loss of toll revenue when the bridge is closed during the annual New York City Marathon, which begins on the Staten Island side of the span.
Gov. Hochul, who oversees the MTA, ordered the agency to back off messing with the race, which is an economic boon for the city.
Italian-American civic leaders will celebrate the anniversary in a ceremony by the explorer’s statue in Battery Park in Manhattan at noon Wednesday.
“Almost 100 years before [English explorer Henry] Hudson, an intrepid Italian explorer made it to New York Harbor, and literally showed the way to this land of opportunity,” said John Calvelli, executive vice chairman of the National Italian American Foundation. “The MTA can honor his legacy by providing a little relief for the thousands of New Yorkers that travel on the bridge that bears his name. It isn’t every day you celebrate a 500th anniversary! Thank you Rep. Malliotakis for leading this effort!”
On Saturday, the Staten Island intersection of Lily Pond and Major avenues will be co-named after Verrazzano. City Councilman David Carr, who reps the neighborhoods by the bridge and requested the change, will preside.