Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Lawrence) applauded the start of E-Z Pass NY toll service for motorists utilizing the Atlantic Beach Bridge.
On December 13, the electronic toll collection system was activated, following several years of advocacy by Solages for the modernization of this bridge, which is operated by the Nassau County Bridge Authority. The 1,173-foot-long toll drawbridge is a crucial artery that connects Lawrence and Atlantic Beach to the mainland over the Nassau Expressway (NY 878) over the west end of Reynolds Channel and provides direct access to the Rockaway Peninsula.
Solages regularly questioned county officials on the floor of the Legislature seeking details and updates on the E-Z Pass project; in March 2023, shortly after a 50 percent toll increase went into effect, he wrote to Nassau County Bridge Authority officials demanding an update on the state of the bridge which residents rely upon as one of three points of access to the Long Beach barrier island.
Business owners and residents have been pushing for the implementation of an electronic toll collection system on the Atlantic Beach Bridge for too long. Now that a 50-percent toll increase has gone into effect as of Jan. 1, 2023, we have an even greater obligation to make this bridge more accessible and convenient for all motorists,” Solages wrote to Nassau Bridge Board Chairman Samuel Nahmias. “Installing E-Z Pass will streamline the collection of tolls from motorists and improve traffic flow, especially during high-demand periods.”
Solages said the Nassau Bridge Authority allowed cash tolls for too long, which made no sense. “I am glad that, after multiple follow-ups and inquiries, that the Nassau County Bridge Authority has finally launched EZ Pass service and has embraced all the best practices that the use of this technology entails. This is a victory for the residents of the Five Towns and Atlantic Beach who rely upon this essential thoroughfare in their daily commutes.”