Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that on Tuesday, September 5, an HOV/Bus lane will open on the Upper Level westbound (Staten Island-bound) direction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, completing a seamless route from Manhattan to Staten Island for users of the special lane, which reduces travel time and helps the environment. The reversible seventh lane of traffic will transition from eastbound to westbound to accommodate the afternoon/evening rush hours and will connect HOV/Bus lanes on the Gowanus/Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to the Staten Island Expressway, improving travel times for HOV/Bus commuters heading home to Staten Island.

The eastbound (to Brooklyn and Manhattan/Queens/Long Island) HOV/Bus lane opened ahead of schedule on June 22, and has reduced travel time during the morning rush from the bridge to the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, providing commuters with a more efficient and reliable commute. By reducing idling and encouraging carpooling and bus use, the HOB/Bus lane also helps reduce carbon emissions that are harmful for the environment. The daily reversal of the lane is managed in conjunction with the NYS Department of Transportation, which operates the BQE/Gowanus and Staten Island Expressway HOV/Bus lanes.

“The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is a vital transportation artery for residents of Staten Island, and HOV lanes on the bridge will help alleviate congestion and streamline travel for commuters traveling between Staten Island and the rest of the city,” Governor Cuomo said. “The opening of HOV lanes combined with the transition to Cashless Tolling furthers New York’s ongoing efforts to transform our transportation infrastructure to meet the needs of 21st century travelers, while providing efficient commutes for generations to come.”

“Having an HOV/Bus lane open in both directions on the bridge is a great benefit to all who use it,” said Cedrick T. Fulton, President of MTA Bridges and Tunnels. “HOV users and Bus riders now have a seamless, continuous route to the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel from Staten Island in the morning, and back in the afternoon, saving people time and improving the rush hour traffic flow daily. And every commuter who chooses to carpool or take a bus over driving alone is helping the environment by reducing their carbon footprint.”

The construction of the Verrazano’s new reversible HOV/Bus lane is part of the larger $235.7 million Verrazano-Narrows Bridge upper level deck project, which replaced the original 1960s-era roadway with a lighter-weight, longer-lasting steel deck. In addition to the new roadway, new sign structures have been added, finger joint systems at the anchorages and towers rehabilitated, and new drainage and energy efficient roadway lighting installed.

The Verrazano Bridge converted to Cashless Tolling on July 8. Now, westbound (to Staten Island) customers drive under gantries without stopping and their E-ZPass accounts are automatically charged, and vehicles without E-ZPasshave their license plate recorded and a bill is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. E-ZPass tags should be mounted inside the vehicle’s front windshield.

(YWN World Headquarter – NYC)