Recent data revealed a reduction in vehicle volumes on the Cross Bronx Expressway following the introduction of congestion pricing. Average daily cars and trucks have decreased by 2.5% and 1.2% respectively compared to last January and February, indicating the plan's effectiveness. Traffic advocates expressed this outcome as positive, hoping it would influence state decisions against widening the road. Despite some diversions to avoid tolls, the expected significant increase in traffic was not observed, showcasing the plan's potential success in managing urban congestion.
According to the data, average vehicle volumes dropped on the Cross Bronx from 146,711 cars and 18,034 trucks per day in January and February of 2024 to 143,043 cars and 17,811 trucks per day this January and February, after the onset of the toll - decreases of 2.5 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.
"Any traffic drop on the Cross Bronx is a huge win," said Jaqi Cohen, the director of climate and equity policy at the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. "We didn't necessarily know what to expect, but reduced traffic on the Cross Bronx is a best case scenario for congestion pricing working."
Cohen did add that the reduced traffic had other implications, such as blunting New York state's belief that it must widen the Cross Bronx.
"Now what we want from [Gov. Hochul] is to ensure traffic continues to reduce in the Bronx by agreeing not to expand the Cross Bronx," said Cohen.
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