‘Transformational’ plan to reimagine New York’s bridges and tunnels

Albany, N.Y. — New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a “transformational” plan to reimagine New York’s crossings for the 21st century. The plan will institute state-of-the-art automatic tolling at all MTA bridges and tunnels — reducing traffic congestion and decreasing emissions to improve the overall travel experience for millions of residents and visitors in New York State. At the Governor’s direction, the state will also deploy cutting-edge technology and security personnel to high-profile crossings in New York to enhance public safety and fortify anti-terror efforts.

As part of the New York Crossings Project, the Governor also announced the state will implement new tunnel barriers to control major floods and seismic measures on bridges which will provide long-term protection from earthquakes and other natural forces. The transformational project also includes the addition of energy efficient LED lighting.

In addition, the MTA will join cities around the globe in providing a renewed focus on public art to ensure our infrastructure projects reflect the grandeur of the Empire State. Under the Governor’s plan, New York will redesign tunnel plazas with cutting-edge veils equipped with LED capability, and gantry structures supporting the new electronic toll equipment will feature artistic “wave” designs which will vary in size and scale.

“By investing in New York’s transportation network today and equipping it to meet the challenges of tomorrow, we are cementing our state’s position as a national leader in 21st century infrastructure and cutting-edge innovation,” Governor Cuomo said. “From speeding up commutes and reducing emissions on key roadways with automatic tolling to bolstering resiliency on our bridges and tunnels and increasing security at key checkpoints, this transformational project will revolutionize transportation in New York and ensure that our state is built to lead for generations to come.”

The New York Crossings Project encompasses all seven MTA-operated bridges and its two tunnels, including the Henry Hudson Bridge, Whitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, RFK Triborough Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Hugh L. Carey Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge, and Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge. The coordinated lighting plan will include the George Washington Bridge operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Funding for these transformational improvements is allocated as part of the MTA’s $27 billion capital plan.

State-of-the-art automatic tolling

New York’s roads are some of the most congested in the nation, with commutes from Long Island, White Plains, and Northern and Southern New Jersey averaging upwards of two hours. On average, 800,000 vehicles cross MTA tunnels and bridges each day, and as a whole, New York drivers spend more than 6,400 hours per day waiting to pay tolls.

Under the Governor’s leadership, New York State is making record investments in increasing regional public transit capacity. To further reduce traffic congestion, the state is implementing automatic tolling, or “open road tolling.” These new, automated tolls will significantly enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion and decrease commute times making it easier for New Yorkers to get where they need to go.

Sensors and cameras will be suspended over the highway on structures called “gantries” and vehicles will not be required to stop. Vehicles with E-ZPass will be automatically charged, and non-E-ZPass vehicles will have their license plate recorded and a bill will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Automatic tolling is projected to save commuters up to 21 hours of drive time every year. Additionally, automatic tolling reduces emissions and significantly decreases amount of fuel burned by drivers, who will no longer have to stop and start waiting to pay tolls. This will conserve approximately one million gallons of fuel and save $2.3 million each year. Automatic tolling will begin at select bridges in January and be completed on all MTA-operated bridges by the end of next year.

Enhanced security at New York crossings

New York is increasingly a target of threats to security. In recognition of this threat, the New York Crossings Project will integrate emerging technologies into the security design of bridges and tunnels across the state, deploying additional personnel and equipment. At each crossing, and at structurally sensitive points on bridges and tunnels, advanced cameras and sensors will be installed to read license plates and test emerging facial recognition software and equipment. These technologies will be applied across airports and transit hubs – including the Penn-Farley Complex – to ultimately develop one system-wide plan.

Anti-terrorism teams will be combined with traffic enforcement at crossings and will develop new operating protocols across agencies. Approximately 525 TBTA officers will provide security and traffic management at bridges and tunnels and will collaborate with State Police on toll enforcement; 150 members of State Police Troop NYC will be assigned at crossings to handle security and anti-terror activities; and 150 National Guardsmen will reinforce troopers on security and anti-terror initiatives. Special barricade trucks will be positioned at both ends of each crossing to serve as intercept vehicles and mobile barriers in the event of an emergency.

Flood resiliency

Previously, New York’s tunnels were built to protect against a 100-year flood, but the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Sandy and Irene demonstrated a need to enhance protections to withstand a 500-year flood. Tunnels will have new barriers installed to block floodwater from entering with water-tight barriers to protect the tunnel and its facilities. Additionally, tunnels will have increased submersible pumping capacity to protect against flooding.

Seismic measures

MTA’s bridges – like many in the Metropolitan region – were built nearly a century ago. The plan includes comprehensive seismic upgrades to make MTA bridges more flexible in the event of an earthquake. All existing bridge bearings will be replaced with “seismic isolation bearings” that allow for rotation, reducing the transfer of seismic forces and mitigating damage. Bridges will have added reinforcement to bridge columns and piers to provide greater resistance to seismic forces. Concrete armor units around the underwater portion of bridge piers will be installed to provide long-term protections beyond seismic events.

Building the new New York – public art

Under Governor Cuomo, New York is recapturing the bold spirit that made it the Empire State in the first place. In the past, New York built projects that were not only practical, but works of public art, like the New York State Capitol, Grand Central Terminal, the original Penn Station and the Central Mall Mosaics at Jones Beach. The MTA has made efforts to incorporate art underground, but this plan will bring back public art aboveground.

The New York Crossings Project will reconfigure toll plazas into modern transportation gateways. Plaza walls will be transformed by veils that shield security personnel and equipment, while acting as LED message boards. Intercept vehicles will be stationed behind the veil and security personnel will have line-of-sight monitoring portals. While plaza redesign will vary, each automated tolling structure on MTA-operated bridges and tunnels will be covered with a decorative artwork presenting a “wave” effect. The wave will be constructed from chainmail fabric which moves with the wind.

LED lighting will be adopted on all MTA bridges and tunnels. LED lights use 40 to 80 percent less power and last six times longer than other types of roadway lighting. In addition to costing less and lasting significantly longer, LED lights can be programmed into different colors and patterns.

The New York Crossings Project will lead the nation by encompassing all MTA-operated bridges and tunnels in New York City, plus the George Washington Bridge. “The City That Never Sleeps,” a dusk to dawn lighting schedule, will illuminate these crossings with spectacular, multi-color light shows that will be visible for miles. Illuminating New York’s already awe-inspiring structures will transform them into international tourist attractions with the potential to drive additional tourism revenue. LED installations are set to begin this January.