Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
MTA Begins To Remove Useless Verrazano Tollbooths
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 19, 2010
Modified Apr 20, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 19, 2010
Modified Apr 20, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Today marked the start of a long-awaited renovation project by the MTA to remove unused toll booths from the Verrazano Bridge. The $2.5 million, year-long project will see the demolition of eight east-bound toll booths on the Staten Island approach to the bridge that have not been used since one-way tolling was mandated by Congress in 1986.
The removal of the booths will mark a big change for the bridge, which turned 45 last fall: “The removal of these toll booths is the most significant change in the physical design of the bridge since the lower level was opened to traffic in 1969,” said MTA Acting Bridges and Tunnels President James Ferrara. The booths will be replaced two at a time, and there will also be other improvements to the bridge, such as removing concrete islands, utilities, canopy structures, electronic signs, as well as concrete and asphalt restoration. Despite all the good news, the Times warns drivers: “'Some off-peak toll lane closures may be scheduled.' (Yikes.)"
Tagged
bridges
renovations
toll booths
verrazano bridge
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
Newly unsealed transcripts and court filings reveal how his lawyers weighed a mental health defense — and the risk it could have posed to his federal case.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 12:37 p.m. ET
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
Customers would have to be provided the option of speaking with a human.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
Customers would have to be provided the option of speaking with a human.
By
Arya Sundaram
Early Addition: There's a new hot duck, this time in Queens
By
James Ramsay
NYPD hate crime unit investigates smashed windows, ‘Pal Action’ graffiti at UES Capital One
By
Ryan Kost
A reliably Republican part of NJ, until ICE came to town
By
Mike Hayes
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .