While there is much debate over the future of Interstate 81, we can all agree that no matter the build option chosen, traffic in Central New York will be disrupted for several years during the construction. During this period, commuters will have to find alternative routes as I-81 and I-690 see prolonged traffic delays and disruption.
An option to alleviate this disruption is to better utilize other available highways. One of these potential routes is the NYS Thruway. The Thruway is currently underutilized by local commuters because it is a toll road. Legislation I sponsored that is currently awaiting action by the governor that could change that for local drivers.
A.695 would authorize the Thruway Authority to issue commuter permits for toll-less travel between Exits 34-A and 39 during peak commute hours. This would provide Central New York commuters with an alternative East-West route. The permits would be loaded on to your “EZ-Pass.” One might ask, about the potential loss of toll revenue to the Thruway. The legislation requires the Thruway Authority conduct an audit after the first year; if a “significant loss of revenue” is found, it can start charging for the passes at a discounted rate per mile. However, the authority must conduct at least one public hearing before making that decision.
The benefits of the bill go beyond alleviating construction traffic during the I-81 project. Allowing commuters to better utilize the Thruway will reduce traffic and congestion on local roads and bridges. This should reduce wear and tear and save local taxpayers money on maintenance costs. It could also reduce local truck traffic in some areas. In my opinion, these potential benefits warrant the state giving this program a try in our region.
This idea has been around for many years. However, the upcoming I-81 project brought it back to the forefront as a possible means to mitigate some of the traffic issues it will create. The wide adoption of “EZ-Pass” has also made such a program easier to implement and administer. I am pleased this bill passed both the Assembly and Senate this year. It awaits action by the governor. The I-81 project will be a challenge to all of us in Central New York. Hopefully, legislation like this can help to alleviate some of the disruption and keep traffic flowing a smooth as possible.
