Transit Authority
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Q: What are those E-ZPass lanes I’ve heard about where you don’t even need to slow down at the tollbooth? Are they used, or going to be used, in the tri-state area?
A: What you have described is called a highway-speed E-ZPass lane. It allows drivers to pay a toll simply by driving past, without reducing their speed. The E-ZPass lanes most commonly used in the metropolitan area force vehicles to slow down to 5 mph for the machine to read the tag – although more than a few cars go through at three times that speed, with no apparent consequence. In addition to those two types of lanes, E-ZPass has developed a “higher-speed” lane, which lets customers drive through at speeds up to 65 mph.
Twelve higher-speed and 16 highway-speed E-ZPass lanes are being installed on the Thruway. The Outerbridge Crossing, which connects Staten Island and Perth Amboy, N.J., will be outfitted with highway-speed lanes this summer, according to the Port Authority, which also said it plans to install similar lanes on the George Washington, Bayonne, and Goethals bridges.
What type of construction is happening at the South Ferry station?
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced recently that it awarded a $261 million contract for the design and construction of renovations at the station.
Although the project is described as a renovation, it involves the replacement of the entire South Ferry station with a new station. The original, 87-year-old station will remain in service until the newly built station opens its doors. The new station will be under Peter Minuit Plaza and State Street, which is in the middle of the loop that forms the current station, according to the MTA.
One major improvement the new station will feature: It will allow passengers in every car to exit the train. Riders will also be able to transfer to the N and R by walking through a connection to the Whitehall Street station.
The new station will no longer require trains to loop around to change directions. Instead, it will feature a crossover track, which uses a switch to change directions.
The project is to commence within the month and is scheduled to be completed by May 2007.
