Res. No. 501
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, legislation that would amend the boundaries of New York City’s Congestion Relief Zone to exclude the connection roads between the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive
By Council Members Maloney, Louis and Restler
Whereas, The Congestion Relief Zone (“CRZ”) Tolling Program began in January 2025, and requires that vehicles entering the CRZ be charged a toll; and
Whereas, The CRZ includes local streets and avenues in Manhattan south of and including 60th Street, and excludes the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive (“FDR Drive”), the West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connection to West Street; and
Whereas, The toll amount is based on type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment; and
Whereas, The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (“Queensboro Bridge”) is a cantilever truss bridge over the East River connecting Manhattan and Queens, and is also known as the 59th Street Bridge because its western end connects road users to 59th Street in Manhattan; and
Whereas, The FDR Drive is a controlled-access parkway on the east side of Manhattan; and
Whereas, Both the Queensboro Bridge and the FDR Drive are vital in providing New Yorkers and other travelers with the ability to traverse areas of New York City; and
Whereas, Since its opening in 1909, the Queensboro Bridge has been toll-free, and many New Yorkers have relied on it as an important alternative to tolled crossings; and
Whereas, Despite being toll-free, some of the connection roads between the Queensboro Bridge and the FDR Drive take drivers south of 60th Street and into the CRZ before crossing from one to the other, triggering the toll; and
Whereas, This tolling structure undermines the toll-free nature of the Queensboro Bridge and reduces the value of a free and affordable crossing for New Yorkers and other travelers; and
Whereas, According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the law that established the CRZ Tolling Program set the specific boundaries of the CRZ; and
Whereas, The New York State Legislature and Governor have the authority to amend the laws governing the CRZ and should act to ensure that connection roadways between the Queensboro Bridge and the FDR Drive are not included in the CRZ, as this would preserve the affordability of the Queensboro Bridge, as well as maintain congestion pricing for vehicles that enter and travel within the CRZ; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature to introduce and pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, legislation that would amend the boundaries of New York City’s Congestion Relief Zone to exclude the connection roads between the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive.
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LS 24084
5/29/26