Cross Over the Bridge

In his 2020 Executive Budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed merging the New York State Thruway Authority with the NYS Bridge Authority. The Bridge Authority oversees five Hudson River bridges: Bear Mountain, Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson, Kingston-Rhinecliff, and our own Rip Van Winkle Bridge.

Catskill approach to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, 1937

Speaking with Alan Chartock on WAMC on February 5, Cuomo explained the rationale for the proposed merger:

Savings, efficiency, economies of scale, two agencies doing the same thing. Why do we have two agencies, two heads, two cars, two offices, two Xerox machines, two of everything? Why not save the taxpayer money--do it better, do it faster, do it more efficiently?

Assemblymember Didi Barrett opposes the merger. Earlier this week, Barrett released the following statement:

The Governor's 2020 Executive Budget proposes eliminating the New York State Bridge Authority and merging it with the NYS Thruway Authority. I join my fellow Hudson Valley colleagues to oppose this proposal and to urge the Governor to remove it as part of the 30 Day Amendments and keep the highly efficient and effective Bridge Authority independent as it was originally intended.

The Bridge Authority was established in 1932 by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to ensure smooth and affordable travel across the Hudson River and to keep these bridges, which function predominantly as local roads for the Hudson Valley, independent from the fiscal stresses of the state's finances. Since then, our bridges, which serve tens of thousands of commuters, have been maintained in top notch condition by the New York State Bridge Authority. Funded solely by the modest tolls collected on its five bridges, the Bridge Authority keeps these Hudson Valley landmarks operating safely and efficiently, consistently earning top bond and quality ratings. This system keeps the tolls we pay on the bridges right here in the Hudson Valley, employing a staff of 190 local workers and linking both sides of the Hudson River for residents and others who travel back and forth to school, work, doctor's appointments, religious services, family visits and more. This is a true case of "if it's not broken, why fix it." Indeed, abolishing the Bridge Authority runs a real risk of leading to increased tolls for drivers and a seriously negative impact on our Hudson Valley economy and communities.