Outer Borough Congestion Thoughts

With the money [at least partly] on the way for Mayor Mike Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, the prospect of the proposal actually becoming a reality has just gotten a little better. As per various opinion polls Manhattan residents and legislators tend to support the plan while in the outer boroughs things are much more hostile.

But some outer borough legislators, like City Councilman Jimmy Vacca (pictured), do support Bloomberg's plan, though it might not be popular with his east Bronx constituents. Vacca said he realizes the idea is controversial but that something has do be done to curb traffic in both his neighborhood and across the City.

"We have to do something about the unbearable traffic, and we have to do something about the congestion that chokes Manhattan," said Vacca.

In his own district, Vacca hopes to see increased express bus service to Wall Street and even the implementation of one-way tolls over bridges, both measures he feels would reduce traffic significantly, especially on the Cross Bronx Expressway, a roadway so congested Vacca said it is barely usable. "You can't get from one end of The Bronx to the other," he said.

"My district has traffic, traffic and more traffic," said Vacca, noting that when highways get to crowded drivers take to the local streets of Throggs Neck. "Maybe this is not popular, but I'm looking out for the long-term health of my community and the City."