My District To A Highway

Bronx Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz has also lined up in opposition to Mayor Mike Bloomberg's congestion pricing proposal for Manhattan. But not for the usual reasons. Instead, Dinowitz is against the plan because it might turn his Riverdale district into Westchester County's new highway.

Since any toll charges paid by commuters will be deducted from the $8 congestion charge, Dinowitz thinks it would be reasonable to assume that traffic on the Henry Hudson Bridge will increase, given that the bridge will become free. More cars at the bridge means more cars on the Henry Hudson Parkway, which cuts right through the heart of Riverdale. And more cars, of course, means more pollution.

“The Mayor’s proposal would remove the disincentive that drivers currently have from driving over the HenryHudsonBridge since the toll would be deducted from the $8.  His plan would actually increase traffic on Henry Hudson Parkway in Riverdale," said Dinowitz.  "Those of us who live in Riverdale would suffer from increased traffic, congestion and pollution under the Mayor’s plan.  I know the Mayor has expressed a concern about the high asthma rate in children."

Dinowitz added,  "I assume he’s just as concerned about the children of our community as he is concerned about the children who live in the congestion zone."

His full release follows after the jump.

For immediate release:                                                                                      Contact:  Thomas McNeil (718) 796-5345

July 9, 2007

Assemblyman Dinowitz Calls for a Study – and not Immediate Implementation – of Congestion Pricing

“While Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030 has many excellent proposals, including the planting of a million trees, I have many concerns over his congestion pricing proposal,” stated Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. 

“Some of my concerns specifically relate to the effect of this proposal on Riverdale and the rest of the Bronx.  For example, the Mayor proposes to deduct tolls paid by a driver entering Manhattan from the $8 congestion pricing fee.  That means that most Bronxites would pay the full $8 and Riverdalians would pay either $6 or $8, depending upon whether or not they drive over the HenryHudsonBridge, but New Jersey drivers would pay $2 since the $6 toll would be deducted from the $8.  How could the Mayor possibly think that it’s fair for most Bronxites to pay four times as much as people from New Jersey who, on the average, are more well-to-do than people from the Bronx?”

Many people currently choose to drive into Manhattan over the BroadwayBridge rather than paying the toll at the HenryHudsonBridge.  “The Mayor’s proposal would remove the disincentive that drivers currently have from driving over the HenryHudsonBridge since the toll would be deducted from the $8.  His plan would actually increase traffic on Henry Hudson Parkway in Riverdale.  Those of us who live in Riverdale would suffer from increased traffic, congestion and pollution under the Mayor’s plan.  I know the Mayor has expressed a concern about the high asthma rate in children.  I assume he’s just as concerned about the children of our community as he is concerned about the children who live in the congestion zone”

“I’m also very surprised and disturbed that the proposal that has been presented does not require and environmental impact statement, something I would have thought all environmentalists would have demanded.  I’m concerned that there has not been any real opportunity for the public to weigh in on this plan through town hall meetings and hearings, something that I would have thought good government advocates and editorial boards would have demanded.  I’m disappointed that this proposal is being called a ‘pilot project’ despite the fact that the Mayor’s plan gives the Mayor total control over whether or not   it becomes permanent.  And I am deeply concerned that this proposal, as is, is nothing but a regressive tax which doesn’t impact on the wealthy but hits middle and working class people hard.  This proposal will make significant changes in New York and deserves a full and open discussion.  It should not be rammed through under the threat of possibly losing federal dollars.  Given the good intent, despite poor planning, I would hope that the legislature would create a commission to study this important issue in detail before we act precipitously on congestion pricing.”