Monday, November 1, 2021

The Soon-to-Be Phantom Tollbooths

The Register-Star reported last week that the tollbooths on the Rip Van Winkle Bridge are soon to be demolished: "Rip Van Winkle tollbooths to be razed in days." In the article, Chris Steber, public information officer for the Bridge Authority, explains that the present tollbooths were constructed in 2003 and are neither historic nor replicas of original tollbooths. The photograph below provides evidence of that. Taken in 1937, it shows the western approach to the bridge two years after the bridge first opened in 1935.

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6 comments:

  1. When cars traveled at a sane pace, I am guessing.

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  2. I came through at 9:30 PM last night. Every car stopping to pay the toll wanted to speak with the attendant while everyone behind them waited patiently for their own turn to talk. This collective wistfulness was quite moving, even if the traffic wasn't.

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  3. If this advance had happened 80 years ago, Sonny Corleone would still be alive. Just saying.

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  4. You will notice back then you paid a toll EACH way. I believe that practice ended in the late 60's or early 70's.

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