Editing MTA Bridges and Tunnels

{{Short description|Toll agency in New York City}}
{{redirect|TBTA|the chemical compound|Tris(benzyltriazolylmethyl)amine}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox company 
| name = MTA Bridges and Tunnels
| logo = MTA Bridges and Tunnels logo.png
| type = [[New York state public-benefit corporations|Public benefit corporation]]
| genre = 
| foundation = [[New York State]] (1933)
| founder = 
| location_city = [[Randall's Island]], [[Manhattan]], [[New York City]]
| location_country = 
| location = 
| locations = 
| area_served = [[New York City]]
| key_people = Catherine T. Sheridan (president)<ref name="MTA r946">{{cite web | title=Cathy Sheridan | website=MTA | url=https://new.mta.info/people/cathy-sheridan | access-date=October 23, 2023}}</ref>
| industry = 
| products = 
| services = 
| revenue = [[United States dollar|US$]]2.4&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name="Sanderson 2023 u920"/>
| operating_income = US$596&nbsp;million (2023)<ref name="MTA g908"/>
| net_income = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = 
| num_employees = 1,589<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/network.htm|title=The MTA Network|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|access-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref>
| parent = [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]
| divisions = 
| subsid = 
| slogan = 
| homepage = {{URL|mta.info/bandt}}
| footnotes = 
| intl = 
}}

The '''Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority''' ('''TBTA'''), [[trade name|doing business as]] '''MTA Bridges and Tunnels''', is an affiliate agency of the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] that operates seven toll bridges and two tunnels in [[New York City]]. The TBTA is the largest bridge and tunnel toll agency in the United States by traffic volume. It generated more than $2.4{{nbsp}}billion in toll revenue from 335 million vehicles in 2023.<ref name="Sanderson 2023 u920">{{cite web | last=Sanderson | first=Bill | title=MTA bridges, tunnels see record traffic in 2023 despite higher tolls in sign of NYC economic health | website=New York Daily News | date=December 28, 2023 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2023/12/28/mta-bridges-tunnels-see-record-traffic-in-2023-despite-higher-tolls-in-sign-of-nyc-economic-health/ | access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, its operating budget was $596 million;<ref name="MTA g908">{{cite web | title=MTA Bridges and Tunnels | website=MTA | url=https://new.mta.info/agency/bridges-and-tunnels | access-date=April 25, 2024}}</ref> the budget is funded through taxes and fees.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rivoli|first=Dan|title=MTA Budget: Where does the money go?|website=New York Daily News|date=February 13, 2018|url=http://interactive.nydailynews.com/project/mta-spending/|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103091946/http://interactive.nydailynews.com/project/mta-spending/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority was founded in 1933 as the '''Triborough Bridge Authority''' ('''TBA'''). The agency was named after its first crossing, the [[Triborough Bridge]]. The Triborough Bridge Authority was reorganized as the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in 1946. It began using the name MTA Bridges and Tunnels in 1994. The TBTA also controlled several buildings such as the [[New York Coliseum]] and the [[East Side Airline Terminal]], both of which have been demolished.

==Facilities==
{{Location map many | New York City
| width = 350
| float = top
| caption = Location of MTA Bridges and Tunnels facilities in New York City
| label = RFK Bridge
  | pos = top
  | coordinates = {{coord|40.780556|-73.927544}}
| label2 = Bronx–Whitestone Bridge
  | pos2 = bottom
  | coordinates2 = {{coord|40.801111|-73.829167}}
| label3 = Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
  | pos3 = left
  | coordinates3 = {{coord|40.606389|-74.045556}}
| label4 = Throgs Neck Bridge
  | pos4 = top
  | coordinates4 = {{coord|40.802|-73.793}}
| label5 = Henry Hudson Bridge
  | pos5 = right
  | coordinates5 = {{coord|40.877861|-73.921777}}
| label6 = Marine Parkway Bridge
  | pos6 = left
  | coordinates6 = {{coord|40.573444|-73.884944}}
| label7 = Cross Bay Bridge
  | pos7 = right
  | coordinates7 = {{coord|40.591497|-73.819614}}
| label8 = Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
  | pos8 = left
  | coordinates8 = {{coord|40.695833|-74.013611}}
| label9 = Queens–Midtown Tunnel
  | pos9 = right
  | coordinates9 = {{coord|40.745556|-73.964722}}
}}
The seven bridges are:<ref name="MTA-B&T-About">{{Cite web|url=https://new.mta.info/bridges-and-tunnels/about|title=About MTA Bridges and Tunnels|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|language=en|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>

* [[Triborough Bridge|Robert F. Kennedy Bridge]], colloquially known by its previous name, the Triborough Bridge, is the agency's flagship crossing, and its original namesake. It connects [[Manhattan]], [[the Bronx]], and [[Queens]], via [[Randalls and Wards Islands]], and is named after the assassinated former [[United States Senator]] from New York, [[Robert F. Kennedy]].
* [[Bronx–Whitestone Bridge]], which connects the Bronx and Queens.
*[[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge]], which connects [[Brooklyn]] and [[Staten Island]].
* [[Throgs Neck Bridge]], which connects the Bronx and Queens.
* [[Henry Hudson Bridge]], which connects Manhattan and the Bronx.
* [[Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge]], which connects Brooklyn and [[the Rockaways]] in Queens.  It is co-named after former [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] and [[New York Mets]] first baseman, and later Mets' manager, [[Gil Hodges]].
* [[Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge]], which connects [[Broad Channel, Queens|Broad Channel]] to the Rockaways, both in Queens.

The two tunnels are:<ref name="MTA-B&T-About" />

* [[Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel|Hugh L. Carey Tunnel]] (colloquially known by its former name, the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel), connects Brooklyn and Manhattan.  It is named after former [[New York governor]] [[Hugh L. Carey]].
* [[Queens–Midtown Tunnel]], which connects Queens and Manhattan.

[[File:TBTA-SEAL.JPG|right|thumb|220px|Seal of the TBTA]]
[[File:Logo of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (1975).svg|right|thumb|220px|Former Logo of the TBTA, adopted shortly after it was absorbed by the MTA]]

==History==
===Founding===
MTA Bridges and Tunnels was originally founded as the Triborough Bridge Authority (TBA), which was organized to head the construction of the Triborough Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Release - Bridges & Tunnels - MTA Bridges and Tunnels: Celebrating 75 Years of Linking New York City|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|date=April 9, 2008|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/bridges-tunnels/mta-bridges-and-tunnels-celebrating-75-years-linking-new-york-city|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> The structure had started construction in 1929<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/26/archives/walker-opens-work-on-triborough-span-with-silverplated-pick-and.html|title=Walker Opens Work on Triborough Span|date=October 26, 1929|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref> but stalled during the [[Great Depression]] due to a lack of funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/nyregion/28bridge.html|title=Deconstructing the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge|last=Feuer|first=Alan|date=June 28, 2009|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 5, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Caro 1974">{{Cite Power Broker}}</ref>{{rp|340–344}} In February 1933, a nine-person committee applied to the [[Reconstruction Finance Corporation]] (RFC) for a $150 million loan for projects in New York state, including the Triborough Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/02/04/archives/state-board-to-ask-150000000-of-rfc-moses-will-hold-a-hearing.html|title=State Board to Ask $150,000,000 of R.F.C.|date=February 4, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> While the RFC favored a loan for the Triborough project,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59983532|title=Harvey Hears Loan Report with Delight|date=February 12, 1932|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=November 6, 2018|page=3|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref> the mayor at the time, [[John P. O'Brien]], banned the RFC from giving loans to the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/02/15/archives/mayor-bans-loans-from-rfc-for-city-financing-will-continue-as-in.html|title=Mayor Bans Loans From R.F.C. For City|date=February 15, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> Instead, O'Brien wanted to create a bridge authority to sell bonds to pay for the construction of the Triborough Bridge as well as for the planned Queens–Midtown Tunnel between Manhattan and Queens.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/03/29/archives/city-bridge-board-sought-by-obrien-mayor-wants-agency-like-the-port.html|title=City Bridge Board Sought by O'Brien|date=March 29, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> [[Robert Moses]], the New York City parks commissioner, also pushed the state legislature to create an authority to fund, build, and operate the Triborough Bridge.<ref name="Caro 1974" />{{rp|340–344}}

A bill to create the TBA passed quickly through both houses of the state legislature,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/04/05/archives/lehman-to-demand-action-on-charter-message-is-expected-when-the.html|title=Lehman to Demand Action on Charter|date=April 5, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> and was signed by Governor [[Herbert H. Lehman]] in April 1933. The bill included a provision that the authority could sell up to $35 million in bonds and fund the remainder of construction through bridge tolls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/04/08/archives/signs-triborough-bridge-bills.html|title=Signs Tri-Borough Bridge Bills.|date=April 8, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25156706/lehman_oks_bill_for_3boro_span/|title=Lehman OKs Bill for 3-Boro Span|date=April 9, 1933|work=New York Daily News|access-date=November 6, 2018|page=133|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> George Gordon Battle, a Tammany Hall attorney, was appointed as chairman of the new authority, and three commissioners were appointed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/04/29/archives/battle-is-made-head-of-bridge-authority-mayor-also-names-ja-oleary.html|title=Battle Is Made Head of Bridge Authority; Mayor Also Names J.A. O'Leary and F.C. Lemmerman to Board for Triborongh Span.|date=April 29, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> Battle resigned from the chairmanship in November 1933, citing ill health, and was replaced by [[Nathan Burkan]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/11/29/archives/battle-ill-quits-triborough-post-burkan-immediately-named-by-obrien.html|title=BATTLE, ILL, QUITS TRIBOROUGH POST; Burkan Immediately Named by O'Brien to Succeed Him in Bridge-Building Job.|date=November 29, 1933|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 2, 2022}}</ref>

===Early years===
In its first year, the TBA was in turmoil: by January 1934, one of the TBA's commissioners had resigned,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/01/11/archives/bridge-official-quits-under-fire-lemmerman-faced-charge-of-taking.html|title=Bridge Official Quits Under Fire; Lemmerman Faced Charge of Taking Fee in Lease of Office to Tri-Borough Authority.|date=January 11, 1934|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> and New York City Mayor [[Fiorello H. La Guardia]] was trying another TBA commissioner, John Stratton O'Leary, for corruption.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/01/14/archives/laguardia-to-try-a-bridge-official-as-tool-of-bosses-oleary-member.html|title=LaGuardia to Try a Bridge Official as Tool of Bosses; O'Leary, Member of Triborough Board, Called for Removal Hearing on Jan. 25|date=January 14, 1934|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> As a result, [[Public Works Administration]] (PWA) administrator [[Harold L. Ickes]] refused to distribute parts of the RFC grant allotted to the Triborough Bridge, until the existing funds could be accounted for.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/01/16/archives/triborough-funds-tied-up-ickes-bars-further-grants-until-he-is.html|title=Triborough Funds Tied Up Ickes|date=January 16, 1934|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref> After O'Leary had been removed, La Guardia appointed Moses to the open commissioner's position,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59975383/|title=Mayor Ousts O'Leary; Moses Given Place on Bridge Authority|date=February 3, 1934|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=November 6, 2018|page=1|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref> and Ickes gave the city $1.5 million toward the bridge's construction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/06/archives/68000000-loans-for-pwa-projects-won-by-laguardia-mayor-in.html|title=$68,000,000 Loans for PWA Projects Won by LaGuardia|date=February 6, 1934|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/59983204/|title=Plain Sailing for Triborough Bridge Project|date=February 10, 1934|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=November 6, 2018|page=3|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref> [[Robert Moses]] became the CEO and Secretary of the TBA in February 1934, after the removal of O'Leary from the Board;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/02/04/archives/oleary-is-ousted-moses-gets-post-mayor-dismisses-triborough-bridge.html|title=O'Leary Is Ousted; Moses Gets Post|date=February 4, 1934|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 6, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Caro 1974" />{{rp|362}} Moses was additionally appointed Chairman in November 1936, following Burkan's death the previous June. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/11/15/archives/moses-takes-over-new-bridge-post-sworn-in-by-mayor-as-head-of.html|title=MOSES TAKES OVER NEW BRIDGE POST; Sworn In by Mayor as Head of Triborough Authority to Succeed Nathan Burkan. |date=November 15, 1936|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=September 2, 2022}}</ref>

Moses leveraged his leadership of the Triborough Bridge Authority, as well as the state and city positions he also held, to expedite the Triborough project.<ref>{{cite fednyc}}</ref>{{rp|392–394}} The Triborough Bridge opened on July 11, 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1936/07/12/archives/great-link-is-acclaimed-people-demanding-such-uptodate-projects.html|title=Great Link Is Acclaimed|date=July 12, 1936|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Caro 1974" />{{rp|440–443}} The TBA constructed a second bridge, the [[Bronx–Whitestone Bridge]], between the Bronx and Queens. Construction started in 1937<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/11/02/archives/mayor-lays-stone-for-bronx-bridge-ceremony-marks-completion-of.html|title=Mayor Lays Stone for Bronx Bridge; Ceremony Marks Completion of Anchorage Foundation for Whitestone Span|date=November 2, 1937|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 20, 2018}}</ref> and the bridge opened on April 29, 1939, in time for the [[1939 New York World's Fair]] in Queens.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52709050/|title=New Queens Span Opens in Time for Fair|date=April 30, 1939|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=October 25, 2018|page=1|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/24833464/bronxwhitestone_bridge_is_opened/|title=Bronx–Whitestone Bridge is Opened|date=April 30, 1939|work=New York Daily News|access-date=October 25, 2018|page=43|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Moses had proposed a third bridge, the Brooklyn-Battery Bridge, on the site of what is now the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/53869518/|title=Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel: Modern Wonder of World|date=May 25, 1950|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315003753/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/53869518/|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=live|page=50|via=[[newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/01/23/archives/bridge-at-battery-proposed-by-moses-tandem-spans-to-brooklyn-can-be.html|title=Bridge at Battery Proposed by Moses|date=1939-01-23|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320230349/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/01/23/archives/bridge-at-battery-proposed-by-moses-tandem-spans-to-brooklyn-can-be.html|archive-date=March 20, 2018|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref> The [[United States Department of War]] ultimately rejected the Brooklyn-Battery Bridge as an impediment to shipping, since it would obstruct access from the [[New York Harbor]] to the [[Brooklyn Navy Yard]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/18/archives/battery-bridge-rejected-by-woodring-as-war-peril-mayor-revives-tube.html|title=Battery Bridge Rejected by Woodring as War Peril; Mayor Revives Tube Plan; Navy Yard Danger|date=July 18, 1939|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321132110/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/07/18/archives/battery-bridge-rejected-by-woodring-as-war-peril-mayor-revives-tube.html|archive-date=March 21, 2018|url-status=live|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52635758/|title=Battle for New Boro-Battery Traffic Link|date=July 18, 1939|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192525/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52635758/|archive-date=March 21, 2018|url-status=live|pages=1, 4|language=en|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Under the chairmanship of Robert Moses, the agency grew in a series of mergers with four other agencies. In January 1940, as part of a deal to build an approach to the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, Moses proposed merging the New York City Parkway Authority, which operated the Henry Hudson, Marine Parkway, and Cross Bay Bridges.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52680459/|title=Crew to Draft Moses' Bill to Build Tube Links|date=January 7, 1940|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=November 14, 2018|page=1|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref> The City Parkway Authority was merged with the TBA in February 1940.<ref name="bde19400209">{{cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/52689990/|title=Lehman's O.K. of Crews' Bill Paves Way for Battery Tunnel|date=February 9, 1940|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=November 14, 2018|page=40|via=Brooklyn Public Library; newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/09/archives/tollpooling-bill-signed-lehman-approves-triboroughparkway.html|title=Toll-pooling Bill Signed; Lehman Approves TriboroughParkway Authorities Merger|date=February 9, 1940|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> The Parkway Authority had already been merged with the [[Henry Hudson Parkway]] Authority, which operated the Henry Hudson Bridge, and with the Marine Parkway Authority, which operated the Marine Parkway Bridge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/03/23/archives/new-parkway-board-plans-bond-issue-city-authority-to-use-part-of.html|title=New Parkway Board Plans Bond Issue; City Authority to Use Part of $18,000,000 for Refunding|date=March 23, 1938|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>

This gave the TBA complete control of all parkways and toll bridges located entirely in New York City.<ref name="bde19400209" /> The same bill revoked the TBA's right to build a bridge from Brooklyn to the Battery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/02/06/archives/assembly-passes-tollpooling-bill-votes-13213-to-join-groups.html|title=Assembly Passes Toll-pooling Bill|date=February 6, 1940|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> In 1945, with the pending merger of the Triborough Bridge Authority and the [[New York City Tunnel Authority]], the former was renamed the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/07/26/archives/tunnel-authority-being-reorganized-shortridge-displaced-as-the.html|title=Tunnel Authority Being Reorganized|date=July 26, 1945|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> The authority operated the Queens&ndash;Midtown Tunnel and was building the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel. The merger was finalized in 1946.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1946/04/24/archives/dewey-affirms-authority-merger.html|title=Dewey Affirms Authority Merger|date=April 24, 1946|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> The TBTA completed the construction of the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel, which opened to traffic in May 1950.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/05/26/archives/brooklyn-tunnel-costing-80000000-opened-by-mayor-marking-opening-of.html|title=Brooklyn Tunnel Costing $80,000,000 Opened By Mayor|last=Ingraham|first=Joseph C.|date=May 26, 1950|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902153332/http://www.nytimes.com/1950/05/26/archives/brooklyn-tunnel-costing-80000000-opened-by-mayor-marking-opening-of.html|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/53869494/|title=Boro-Battery Tube Opens|date=February 23, 1949|work=[[Brooklyn Daily Eagle]]|access-date=March 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323030756/https://bklyn.newspapers.com/image/53869494/|archive-date=March 23, 2018|url-status=live|pages=1, 5|language=en|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

===Growth===
Generating millions of dollars in toll revenue annually, the TBTA easily became a powerful city agency, as it was capable of funding large capital projects.  From the 1940s to the 1960s, the TBTA built the Battery Tunnel Parking Garage, [[Jacob Riis Beach]] Parking Field, the [[New York Coliseum]], and the East Side Airlines Terminal.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schwab|first=Armand Jr. |date=1954-07-18|title=Progress Report; Seven-Month-Old Air Terminal Doing Good Job for Just About Everyone|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1954/07/18/archives/progress-report-sevenmonthold-air-terminal-doing-good-job-for-just.html|access-date=2021-01-30|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Aside from toll crossings, one of the TBTA's most profitable properties was the New York Coliseum<!--already linked above-->, an office building and convention center at [[Columbus Circle]] in Manhattan. The complex cost $35 million to build,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/04/29/archives/coliseum-opened-crowds-flock-in-to-see-3-exhibits-high-officials.html|title=Coliseum Opened|last=Gossett|first=Carl T.|date=April 29, 1956|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-US|url-access=subscription}}</ref> of which $26.5 million came from toll revenues collected by the TBTA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/04/28/archives/bridge-revenues-built-new-center-loan-held-to-9500000-rest-of.html|title=Bridge Revenies Built New Center|last=Knowles|first=Clayton|date=April 28, 1956|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 14, 2018|language=en-US|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The Coliseum, which became the New York City's major convention center, had a tax agreement with the city wherein the city government would collect a portion of the TBTA's revenue rather than collect taxes on the Coliseum property. Within the first ten years of the Coliseum's opening, the city had collected almost $9.1 million from the TBTA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FRidgewood%2520NY%2520Times%2FRidgewood%2520%2520NY%2520Times%25201947-1948%2FRidgewood%2520%2520NY%2520Times%25201947-1948%252000319_2.pdf|title=City Collects $9,096,000 From Coliseum In Lieu Of Taxes|date=July 27, 1967|work=Ridgewood Times|access-date=February 14, 2017|page=9|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]}}</ref> This special tax arrangement continued until the property was sold in 1998.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/30/nyregion/sale-of-coliseum-site-receives-approval.html|title=Sale of Coliseum Site Receives Approval|last=Bagli|first=Charles V.|date=July 30, 1998|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 13, 2018|language=en-US|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The TBTA built two bridges in the 1960s. The Throgs Neck Bridge, a project to alleviate traffic on the Bronx–Whitestone Bridge, started construction in 1957<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1957/10/23/archives/bridge-started-at-throgs-neck-moses-and-5-other-officials-break.html|title=Bridge Started at Throgs Neck; Moses and 5 Other Officials Break Ground for First of 3 Traffic-Relief Projects|date=October 23, 1957|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 7, 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Throgs Neck Span Work Starts; Queens-Bronx Link Ready in '61|date=October 22, 1957|work=Long Island Star-Journal|pages=[http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Long%20Island%20City%20NY%20Star%20Journal/Long%20Island%20City%20NY%20Star%20Journal%201957/Long%20Island%20City%20NY%20Star%20Journal%201957%20-%209657.pdf 1], [http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201957%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201957%2520-%25209665.pdf% 5]|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> and opened in January 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/01/12/archives/throgs-neck-bridge-is-opened-to-no-pomp-and-little-traffic.html|title=Throgs Neck Bridge Is Opened To No Pomp and Little Traffic|last=Phillips|first=McCandlish|date=January 12, 1961|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 8, 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Throgs Neck Bridge Opens New Gateway to Long Island|last=Phillips|first=Dorothy A.|date=January 12, 1961|work=Long Island Star-Journal|pages=[http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201961%2FLong%2520Island%2520%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201961%2520-%25201188.pdf 1B], [http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2014/Long%20Island%20City%20NY%20Star%20Journal/Long%20Island%20City%20NY%20Star%20Journal%201961/Long%20Island%20%20City%20NY%20Star%20Journal%201961%20-%201200.pdf 13B]|via=Fultonhistory.com}}</ref> The long-planned Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which had been proposed as far back as the 1920s,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A51VbeqTwogC&pg=PT177|title=Six Bridges: The Legacy of Othmar H. Ammann|last=Rastorfer|first=Darl|publisher=Yale University Press|year=2000|isbn=978-0-300-08047-6|access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref>{{rp|135}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1927/06/07/archives/asks-suburban-aid-in-regional-plan-committee-urges-cooperation-in.html|title=Asks Suburban Aid in Regional Plan|date=June 7, 1927|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 14, 2018|language=en-US|url-access=subscription}}</ref> started construction in 1959<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/08/14/archives/bridge-is-started-across-narrows-ground-is-broken-on-staten-island.html|title=Bridge Is Started Across Narrows|last=Ingraham|first=Joseph C.|date=August 14, 1959|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 14, 2018|language=en-US|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and opened in November 1964.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/27/verrazano-link-will-open-on-si.html|title=Verrazano Link Will Open on S.I.|date=January 27, 1964|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 15, 2018|language=en-US|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520The%2520World%2520Telegram%2520and%2520Sun%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520The%2520World%2520Telegram%2520and%2520Sun%25201964%2FNew%2520York%2520NY%2520The%2520World%2520Telegram%2520and%2520Sun%25201964%2520b%2520-%25203313.pdf|title=Notables Salute the New Queen|date=November 21, 1964|work=New York World-Telegram|access-date=March 14, 2018|page=2|via=[[Fultonhistory.com]]}}</ref> Because of higher-than-expected traffic on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the TBTA built a second deck on the bridge in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/29/archives/2d-level-of-verrazano-bridge-opens-11-years-ahead-of-plan.html|title=2d Level of Verrazano Bridge Opens 11 Years Ahead of Plan|last=Schumach|first=Murray|date=June 29, 1969|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=March 16, 2018|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Merger with MTA===
[[File:TBB HQ sunny Feb AM jeh.jpg|thumb|250px|Headquarters on [[Randall's Island]]]]

In January 1966, New York City Mayor [[John Lindsay]] proposed merging the [[New York City Transit Authority]] (NYCTA), which operated buses and subways in New York City, with the TBTA to create the [[Metropolitan Commuter Transit Authority]] (MCTA).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9E0CE3DF113BEF34BC4053DFB766838D679EDE|title=Albany Is Warm to Transit Unity; Leaders Indicate Readiness to Weigh Lindsay Plan|date=January 8, 1966|last=Madden|first=Richard L.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> While Governor [[Nelson Rockefeller]] offered his "complete support" for Lindsay's proposed unified transit agency,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9A05EEDE113CE731A2575AC0A9649C946791D6CF|title=Governor Backs Mayor on Transit; Support on Legislation for Unification Is Assured|date=February 9, 1966|last=Witkin|first=Richard|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Robert Moses called the proposed merger "absurd" and "grotesque" for its unwieldiness.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9C0DE2D7133FEF3BBC4A51DFB766838C679EDE|title=Moses Scores a Transit Merger as Unworkable|date=January 22, 1967|last=Callahan|first=John P.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Lindsay then proposed a bill in the state legislature that would allow the mayor to appoint a majority of the members in the new city-run transportation agency, but this was rejected.<ref name="Danielson Doig 1982">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/newyorkpoliticso0000dani|title=New York: The Politics of Urban Regional Development|last1=Danielson|first1=M.N.|last2=Doig|first2=J.W.|publisher=University of California Press|year=1982|isbn=978-0-520-90689-1|series=Lane Studies in Regional Government|access-date=February 10, 2018|url-access=registration}}</ref>{{Rp|229}}

In June 1966, Rockefeller announced his plans to expand the MCTA's scope to create a new regional transit authority to encompass the existing MCTA, as well as the NYCTA and TBTA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=980DE4DA123DE43BBC4B53DFB066838D679EDE|title=Rockefeller Seeks Regional Agency to Direct Transit|date=June 3, 1966|last=Schanberg|first=Sydney H.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Lindsay disagreed, saying that the state and city should have operationally separate transit authorities that worked in tandem.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9F04E3DC1130E03ABC4C53DFB066838D679EDE|title=Lindsay Is Strongly Opposed To State Transit Proposal|date=June 4, 1966|last=Bennett|first=Charles G.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> In early 1967, Rockefeller proposed merging the NYCTA and TBTA into the MCTA, as well as creating a $2.5 billion bond issue to fund transportation improvements.<ref name="Danielson Doig 1982" />{{Rp|231}} In May 1967, Rockefeller signed a bill that allowed the MCTA to oversee the mass transit policies of New York City-area transit systems and the TBTA by the following March.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9900E7D61E38E133A25750C0A9639C946691D6CF|title=Governor Signs 2d Transit Bill; Unification Measure Names Agency to Head Operation|date=May 3, 1967|last=Schanberg|first=Sydney H.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Initially, the TBTA was resistant to the MCTA's efforts to acquire it.<ref name="nyt19680210">{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9E07E1DC1530EF34BC4852DFB4668383679EDE|title=Triborough Pact Ends Last Block to Transit Unity|date=February 10, 1968|last=Tomasson|first=Robert E.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Moses was afraid that the enlarged MCTA would "undermine, destroy or tarnish" the integrity of the TBTA,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=980CE5D71031E034BC4152DFB4668383679EDE|title=Moses Cautions New Authority; Praises Triborough Bridge Operations in Final Report|date=February 19, 1968|last=Gansberg|first=Martin|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> One source of contention was Rockefeller's proposal to use TBTA tolls in order to subsidize the cheap fares of the NYCTA, since Moses strongly opposed any use of TBTA tolls for use by outside agencies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9F0CE5DE1E3CE53BBC4051DFB466838C679EDE|title=Triborough Funds Are Again Sought to Save 20c Fare|date=February 28, 1967|last=Schanberg|first=Sydney H.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Moses agreed to merge the TBTA into the MCTA in March 1967, and he even campaigned in favor of the transit bond issue.<ref name="Danielson Doig 1982" />{{Rp|231}} In February 1968, the TBTA's bondholders acquiesced to the MCTA's merger proposal.<ref name="nyt19680210" /> The TBTA archives, including models of projects built and unbuilt, were transferred to the MTA Bridges and Tunnels Special Archive, at [[2 Broadway]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=MTA Bridges & Tunnels Special Archives - New York City, New York|url=http://wikimapia.org/39995180/MTA-Bridges-Tunnels-Special-Archives|access-date=2022-01-04|website=wikimapia.org|language=en}}</ref>

In March 1968, the MCTA dropped the word "Commuter" from its name and became the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA). The MTA took over the operations of the other New York City-area transit systems as well as the TBTA.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Penner|first1=Larry|title=Happy 51st Birthday To Queens Public Transportation|url=http://www.qgazette.com/news/2015-07-15/Front_Page/Happy_51st_Birthday_To_Queens_Public_Transportatio.html|publisher=Queens Gazette|access-date=November 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912111108/http://www.qgazette.com/news/2015-07-15/Front_Page/Happy_51st_Birthday_To_Queens_Public_Transportatio.html|archive-date=September 12, 2015|url-status=dead|date=July 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name="nyt19680302">{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9E06EEDB1530EF34BC4A53DFB5668383679EDE|title=M.T.A. Takes Over Transit Network; Moses Will Be Kept On as Consultant to Agency|date=March 2, 1968|last=Witkin|first=Richard|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Moses was relieved from his job as chairman of the TBTA, although he was retained as a consultant.<ref name="nyt19680302" /> Moses stated that TBTA construction projects would reduce the MTA's budget surplus through 1970.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive/pdf?res=9801E0DB163AE63ABC4950DFB566838C679EDE|title=Moses Says Triborough Projects Will Absorb Surpluses Until '69|date=March 31, 1967|last=Ingraham|first=Joseph C.|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Surplus revenue, formerly used for new automobile projects, was then used to support [[public transportation]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Roberts|first=Sam|date=2006-07-11|title=Reappraising a Landmark Bridge, and the Visionary Behind It|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/nyregion/11bridge.html|access-date=2021-01-30}}</ref>

Since the merger, more than $10{{nbsp}}billion has been contributed by the TBTA to subsidize mass transit fares and capital improvements for the [[New York City Transit Authority|New York City Transit]], [[Long Island Rail Road]], and [[Metro-North Railroad]]. The MTA Bridges and Tunnels trading name was adopted in 1994.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McKinley|first=James C. Jr.|date=1994-08-28|title=What's in a Symbol? A Lot, the M.T.A. Is Betting|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/28/nyregion/what-s-in-a-symbol-a-lot-the-mta-is-betting.html|access-date=2021-01-30}}</ref> The name '''Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority''' is still the legal name of the Authority.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/compliance/pdf/Description%20and%20Board%20Structure.pdf|title=Metropolitan Transportation Authority Description and Board Structure Covering Fiscal Year 2009|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|date=c. 2010|access-date=February 10, 2017|pages=2, 3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/compliance/pdf/2015_annual/Subsidiary_Corporation_Report_2015.pdf|title=MTA Subsidiary Public Benefit Corporations Report 2015|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|date=2015|access-date=February 10, 2017|page=3}}</ref>

==Law enforcement==
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname        = New York State Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Officers
| nativename        = MTA Bridges and Tunnels Officers
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}}
[[File:TBTA Police Ford Taurus Police Interceptor No.509 -2.jpg|thumb|A [[patrol car]] of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority]]
The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority employs fewer than 100 Bridge and Tunnel officers (BTOs). The last civil service exam for MTA Bridge and Tunnel Officer (list # 6091) was in 2007.<ref>[https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/bridgeandtunnelofficer.pdf Notice of examination] City of New York</ref>

===Duties===
TBTA Officers perform various tasks concerning vehicular traffic, assisting stranded motorists, performing selected security duties at the nine intra-city crossings, as well as other miscellaneous duties.

The TBTA operates seven bridges and two tunnels, including:<ref>{{cite web |title=Transit Police Cars |url=https://www.policecarwebsite.net/fc/transit/tbta.html |website=policecarwebsite.net |access-date=14 June 2024}}</ref>

*[[Triborough Bridge]] (connecting Manhattan, the [[The Bronx|Bronx]] and [[Queens]])
*[[Bronx–Whitestone Bridge|Bronx-Whitestone Bridge]] (the Bronx and Queens)
*[[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge|Verrazano Narrows Bridge]] ([[Brooklyn]] and Staten Island)
*[[Throgs Neck Bridge]] (the Bronx and Queens)
*[[Henry Hudson Bridge]] ([[Manhattan]] and the Bronx)
*[[Marine Parkway–Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge|Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge]] (Brooklyn and Queens—Rockaway peninsula)
*[[Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge]] (Brooklyn and Queens—Rockaway peninsula)

and two tunnels:
*[[Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel|Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel]] (Brooklyn and Manhattan)
*[[Queens–Midtown Tunnel|Queens Midtown Tunnel]] (Queens and Manhattan)

===TBTA officers===
TBTA Officers wear a uniform similar to other NYC law enforcement officers. They are NYS Peace Officers with limited authority under Article 2, §2.10, sub 20 of New York State Criminal Procedure Law.<ref>https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/bridgeandtunnelofficer.pdf. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103021029/https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/bridgeandtunnelofficer.pdf |date=January 3, 2022 }}</ref>

===Officer killed on duty===
Bridge and Tunnel Officer Thomas K. Choi was struck by a vehicle on the [[Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge]] on October 20, 2013. He suffered severe head injuries and was left in a coma. He died one year later. Choi had served with the TBTA for 11 years.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.odmp.org/officer/22316-bridge-and-tunnel-officer-thomas-k-choi |title=Bridge and Tunnel Officer Thomas K. Choi |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=October 20, 2013 |website=www.odmp.gov |publisher=odmp |access-date=December 14, 2021 |quote=}}</ref>

==Tolls==
MTA Bridges and Tunnels collects the vast majority of its tolls through [[E-ZPass]], an [[electronic toll collection]] system.<ref name="MTA-B&T-About" /> E-ZPass was introduced at MTA Bridges and Tunnels crossings between 1995 and 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/25/nyregion/electronic-tolls-are-catching-on-and-commuters-are-catching-up.html|title=Electronic Tolls Are Catching On, And Commuters Are Catching Up|last=Gross|first=Jane|date=March 25, 1997|website=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref>

===Open-road tolling===

In October 2016, Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]] announced that tollbooths would be removed at all bridges to speed up traffic.<ref name="Siff 2016">{{cite web|last=Siff|first=Andrew|title=Automatic Tolls to Replace Gates at 9 NYC Spans: Cuomo|website=NBC New York|date=October 5, 2016|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Automatic-Tolls-Coming-to-New-York-City-Bridges-Tunnels-NYC-396050241.html|access-date=December 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="WABC 2016">{{cite web|author=Staff|title=MTA rolls out cashless toll schedule for bridges, tunnels|website=ABC7 New York|date=December 21, 2016|url=http://abc7ny.com/1666924/|access-date=December 25, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Cuomo Website 2016">{{cite web|author=Staff|title=Governor Cuomo Announces Transformational Plan to Reimagine New York's Bridges and Tunnels for 21st Century|website=[[Governor of New York (state)|governor.ny.gov]]|publisher=Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo|date=October 5, 2016|url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-transformational-plan-reimagine-new-york-s-bridges-and-tunnels-21st|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> Since September 2017, all MTA Bridges & Tunnels facilities have collected tolls through [[Open road tolling|open-road cashless tolling]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Castillo|first=Alfonso A.|title=Cashless tolling arrives at all MTA bridges|newspaper=[[Newsday]]|date=October 2, 2017|url=https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/open-road-tolling-closes-gate-on-era-at-nyc-area-crossings-1.14311902|access-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref> Tollbooths previously in place have been dismantled, and drivers no longer pay cash at the crossings. Instead, cameras mounted onto new overhead gantries manufactured by [[TransCore]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://transcore.com/projects/mta-bt |title=Project Profile Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=TransCore}}</ref> collect the tolls. While some are located where toll booths were previously located, others are located at the opposite ends of the facilities. A vehicle without an E-ZPass has a picture taken of its license plate and a bill for the toll is mailed to its owner. For E-ZPass users, sensors detect their transponders wirelessly.<ref name="Siff 2016" /><ref name="WABC 2016" /><ref name="Cuomo Website 2016" />

[[Automatic number-plate recognition]] (ALPR) analysis is used to decode the image of the plate into alphanumeric data and the jurisdiction of issue. {{as of|2018}}, the MTA B&T's ALPR system was unable to read temporary paper license plates.<ref name="DiNapolii 2018">{{Cite web|last=DiNapoli|first=Thomas P.|date=July 11, 2018|title=Efforts to Collect Tolls and Fees Using License Plate Images and Law Firms. New York State Comptroller Report 2017-S-70|url=https://www.osc.state.ny.us/files/state-agencies/audits/pdf/sga-2018-17s70.pdf|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=}}</ref> The system is subject to significant fraud from motorists who obstruct clear views of their license plates.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McClain|first=Noah|date=January 26, 2021|title=Automated License Plate Recognition Countermeasures: An Art & Science of Street-Level Privilege in New York City|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348817744|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=Researchgate}}</ref> Drivers caught with such plates risk a ticket for an obstructed, missing or unreadable license plate under Section 402 of New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, though these drivers have not been subject to criminal enforcement.<ref name="McClain 2020">{{Cite web|last=McClain|first=Noah|date=July 1, 2020|title=Felony vs. 'Fuhgeddaboudit': Technical Crime, Street-Level Privilege, and the Deception of Computers in New York City|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/343136003|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=January 29, 2021|website=Researchgate}}</ref> Governor Cuomo's 2020 proposed Executive Budget included an amendment to specify the use of a modified license plate to avoid tolls as misdemeanor theft-of-service, but the proposal was not included in the final bill.<ref name="McClain 2020" />

The MTA has released no data detailing its losses to modified or obstructed license plates, even though the prevalence of such license plates may result in substantial revenue losses. However, it was theoretically possible for the MTA to have a toll collection rate of over 100 percent, because the $50 and $100 fines for late toll payments have been added to the sum of tolls collected, but not added to the sum of tolls incurred by drivers. This may obscure both sources of toll revenue and causes of toll revenue loss for the MTA.<ref name="McClain 2020" />

From December 2018 through November 2019, the MTA successfully collected 97.1 percent of all tolls incurred by drivers, with the lowest rate being 94.8 percent at the Cross Bay Bridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://new.mta.info/document/26821|title=Bridges and Tunnels Committee Meeting January 2020|date=January 2020|website=web.mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=January 19, 2018|page=6}}</ref> The preponderance of obstructed or modified license plates in New York City may suggest substantial revenue losses due to that form of fraud.<ref name="McClain 2020" /> An audit performed by the New York State Comptroller in 2017 criticized the MTA for losses due to issues with reading, and obstruction of, license plates. The MTA's response characterized this as part of "leakage" that is "inherent in the process for any Cashless Tolling environment."<ref name="DiNapolii 2018" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official}}
* [http://web.mta.info/bandt/html/btmap.html Official map]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100705133701/http://webcam.mta.info/mta3/cright.html TBTA Copyright page]
* [http://web.mta.info/mta/investor/pdf/2013/StantecEngineerReport042613.pdf "History and Projection of Traffic, Roll Revenues, and Expenses and Review of Physical Conditions of the Facilities of Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority"]

{{NYC Bridge}}
{{MTA (New York)}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority| ]]
[[Category:Toll roads in New York (state)| ]]
[[Category:Public benefit corporations in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1933]]
[[Category:Public utilities of the United States]]