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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsEvacuation Routes Keep Tolls in Place
Nice.
?w=600&h=448
http://observer.com/2012/10/bridges-over-troubled-waters-will-still-cost-you-mta-and-port-authority-keep-tolls-in-place-during-frankenstorm/
A mandatory evacuation from the Rockaways will still cost you $3.25.
The mayor announced earlier today that all city employees are expected to come into work today at the discretion of their departments. The same goes for a few unlucky MTA and Port Authority employees manning the citys bridges. While weather conditions may become so severe that the bridges have to be shut down, for now, the toll booths are manned, and tolls remain in effect. For once, the banks are being kinder than the toll man.
Both the MTA and the Port Authority are still collecting tolls at all their crossings. The MTA actually sees this as a sign of calm, go-about-your-business, all-is-relatively normal life. If the tolls were gone, then we would be in some seriously deep shit. It also seems possible that a toll holiday could encourage people to drive who are not trying to escape. This could lead to congestion and people out on the roads who might not otherwise be, which could put them in harms way.
Out on The Gil Hodges-Marine Parkway Bridge, which connects the Rockaways with Brooklyn, The Observer encountered two lonely toll booth attendants. They were still taking the allotted $3.25 from any and all evacuees who had not already fled the barrier island, where there are concerns that the entire place will be overrun as the ocean meets the Jamaica Bay.
We asked one toll collector what she would do when she was finished her shift. She shrugged and replied, Well, I cant get home tonight. The bridge will probably closed. I guess Ill probably sleep in the booth or my car.
The mayor announced earlier today that all city employees are expected to come into work today at the discretion of their departments. The same goes for a few unlucky MTA and Port Authority employees manning the citys bridges. While weather conditions may become so severe that the bridges have to be shut down, for now, the toll booths are manned, and tolls remain in effect. For once, the banks are being kinder than the toll man.
Both the MTA and the Port Authority are still collecting tolls at all their crossings. The MTA actually sees this as a sign of calm, go-about-your-business, all-is-relatively normal life. If the tolls were gone, then we would be in some seriously deep shit. It also seems possible that a toll holiday could encourage people to drive who are not trying to escape. This could lead to congestion and people out on the roads who might not otherwise be, which could put them in harms way.
Out on The Gil Hodges-Marine Parkway Bridge, which connects the Rockaways with Brooklyn, The Observer encountered two lonely toll booth attendants. They were still taking the allotted $3.25 from any and all evacuees who had not already fled the barrier island, where there are concerns that the entire place will be overrun as the ocean meets the Jamaica Bay.
We asked one toll collector what she would do when she was finished her shift. She shrugged and replied, Well, I cant get home tonight. The bridge will probably closed. I guess Ill probably sleep in the booth or my car.
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Evacuation Routes Keep Tolls in Place (Original Post)
superpatriotman
Oct 2012
OP
doc03
(35,340 posts)1. I can believe it, don't they have a toll both at the end of every driveway? n/t
tblue37
(65,377 posts)2. A bunch of bureaucrats have their heads lodged firmly up their
toll booths!
jenw2
(374 posts)3. Government always screws the little guy
Sucks to see that nothing has changed.
HiPointDem
(20,729 posts)4. seriously f-ed up.