The NYS Thruway Authority recently completed its Congestion Relief Pricing Study for the Tappan Zee Bridge corridor. The final report has not yet been released to the public, but preliminary findings presented by the Thruway earlier this summer showed that even very small toll fluctuations can improve traffic flow.

The standard toll on the bridge is $3.00. Commuters using the crossing at least 17 times per month pay only $1.00 per roundtrip crossing  a steep discount that encourages travel during the most congested hours.

According to the Thruway's "revenue-neutral" option, a 50-cent surcharge for commuters during the morning peak, along with a 50-cent discount for commuters during "shoulder" hours (periods immediately before and after rush hour) would yield an 8% reduction in peak traffic volumes.

This is good news for the I-287 Task Force, a group of elected officials, transportation agencies, and business and environmental groups appointed by Governor Pataki to find solutions to cross-Westchester gridlock.

Fifteen prominent environmental groups in Westchester and Rockland County - including both counties' environmental umbrella groups, the Rockland County Conservation Association and the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, as well as the New York League of Conservation Voters, Scenic Hudson, the Sierra Club of Lower Hudson and the Audubon Society of Saw Mill River - have endorsed a statement calling for implementation of variable tolls on the Tappan Zee Bridge.