Despite the Trump administration’s announcement last week that it plans to revoke federal approval for New York City’s congestion pricing program, there was also impressive news this week that roadway congestion fees on vehicles entering south of 60th Street in Manhattan have reduced traffic and raised nearly $50 million during the first month. The electronic toll depends on time of day, with most passenger cars charged $9 a day at peak traffic times. The tolls are expected to increase for most drivers to $12 in 2028, and to $15 in 2031. In addition to cutting traffic, the number of crashes and injuries fell during the first month that congestion pricing was in effect. The question is, if it works in Manhattan, why not on the East End?
Out here we are all impacted by the daily inflow and outflow of the work force, delivery vehicles, and tradespeople. Timed congestion pricing could limit the number of vehicles by encouraging businesses to send one work truck instead of two, for example. Casual visitors, an unquantifiable additional source of traffic, might also be deterred to some extent. There could be gains in productivity, with workers not wasting time sitting in their vehicles rather than being on the job. People might drive less; there might be similarity to bans on plastic grocery bags that quickly conditioned many shoppers to take their own instead of paying 5 cents for a paper bag at checkout. Car owners might also gradually shift to electric, less-costly alternative vehicles to help offset the fee.
From a technological standpoint, the few roadways on and off the twin forks could make installation simpler than in Manhattan. Equipment would have to be placed not just at the Shinnecock Canal chokepoint, perhaps, but on the North Fork to prevent traffic from overwhelming Greenport and Shelter Island. Already, the bridge to North Haven and Jermain Avenue around Sag Harbor Village are filled to capacity mornings and evenings and on many days during the summer season.
Money raised could go to pay off borrowing for roadwork, such as the perennial disaster that is Route 114 between East Hampton Village and Sag Harbor. But it might also help fund initiatives to offset the deleterious effects on the environment from vehicles. Road runoff remains one of the largest sources of water pollution on Long Island and could be tamed, for example. As in the city, money could also improve existing transportation alternatives, such as more frequent Long Island Rail Road shuttles and connecting bus routes.
East End traffic is not going to get better without major shifts. A nuanced form of congestion pricing might be just the kind of radical change our region needs.