Dear New York,
You’ve got a significant infrastructure problem. Traffic has reached a new level of frustrating. I’m happy to see that you’re making some improvements to your highways, but having a planned closing of 3 of the 4 lanes on the G.W. Bridge’s top deck in the hours preceding rush hour is probably not a smart tactic. Also, maybe some signage would help. Signage that could perhaps help direct some of the traffic that was forced to wait 2 hours yesterday to drive the 0.8 miles approaching the bridge to the lower deck which had a much shorter backup. When it comes to helpful driving information remember that sharing is caring.
Rubbing salt into the wound, after waiting 2 hours to drive over said bridge – it’s extra painful to pay $12 for the luxury of using the bridge. Dang Port Authority, that’s quite a fare hike from the $8 of days past.
I appreciate that this problem is very likely much more complicated than at first glance. But perhaps we can use my irritation as a litmus paper for that of the general traveler. Hopefully you’re working on a solution. In the meantime, let’s try some improved communication!
Best regards,
Mike D.
Mike”D”,
We here at the NY Port Authority monitor the ‘blogosphere’ very closely to gauge the current satisfaction of our extensive traffic network.
Thank you so much for expressing your concern regarding the most recent upgrade to safety and efficiency to our widely used bridge and highway infrastructure. We take all complaints and concerns very seriously and have passed your comments on to the proper channels to be reviewed and addressed.
As you know in this most difficult of economic times we all must ‘share the load’ as the saying goes, and statewide we determined that all individuals who use the NY Thruway and Bridge system would be more than happy to accept a negligible raising of rates and tolls while improvements can be made. If you are unhappy with the current toll prices please feel free to contact your local Representative.
Your only other option is to drive through New Jersey, and no one really wants that, now do we.
Sincerely,
Douglas McArthur
NY Port Authority
ps: I highly enjoyed your Ask Shaun McQuaid pieces. Is there any way we can hear more from this gentleman?
Tom and I once got stuck in a commuter lane in NJ and the addition of some road construction at the time prevented us from exiting the road as planned to go North as planned on the Tappen Zee. We ended up stuck in traffic for an hour or two and paying tons of money to go over that stupid bridge, we didn’t even want to drive over it in the first place!
Also this podcast is interesting in regards to stupid highway decisions New York has made. http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/08/19/139749870/a-big-bridge-in-the-wrong-place
Mykal,
I am really enjoying this sharing of thoughts and ideas this one blog post has brought around. If only our current politicians could be this honest and forthcoming, am I right:).
But to get back on topic here, declaring that NY has made “stupid” highway decisions based on events that occured in NJ (YUCK!) is unfair to lay at the feet of the Empire State. We strive to offer a fair and reasonable cost that attempts to include all factors into its current rate (wear & tear, repairs, upgrades, and convenience). In fact we have made some great strides in offerincentives to “Green Vehicles”, eliminating invasive species such as Purple loosestrife and working to foster more local plant species.
We strive to offer you a safe and convenient driving experience, from the Big Apple to Niagra Falls. If you have concerns and questions regarding the ineffectiveness of the NJ Highway system please direct your frustration and suggestions to them.
Thanks again for your thoughts and concerns. I look forward to what other ideas fellow readers have to say on the subject.
“Rock On!”
Douglas
Mike,
Take the Tappen Zee, bonus points it was built over an extra wide section of the Hudson, rather than a narrow a few miles south. Just so that it would be owned/controlled by the NY State Thruway, rather than coming under the jurisdiction of the Port Authority. The governor at the time of the building wanted all of the toll money coming his way rather to the P.A.