Nassau County Bridge Authority aims to upgrade the Atlantic Beach Bridge toll plaza

The Nassau County Bridge Authority, which oversees operation of the Atlantic Beach Bridge and its accompanying toll plaza, is going on the offensive to upgrade the plaza by creating what it is calling the Re-imagining Atlantic Beach Bridge Toll Plaza Citizens Committee.

Limited to 20 members, the committee will meet monthly at the Bridge Authority’s administrative offices beginning in January.

The committee will hear from experts and exchange and develop ideas targeting the toll plaza’s structure, appearance and technology. A plan will then be presented to the Bridge Authority’s board.

Toll Plaza renovation has a budget of $5 million and the Bridge Authority is aiming to use and implement the most up to date and efficient technology.

“The technology has reached its useful process,” NCBA Executive Director Vincent Grasso said, when asked about how the toll booth equipment has been functioning, noting that some technologies are now steps behind and the idea is to get a step ahead.

EZ Pass always comes up as a way to modernize the bridge crossing that still takes cash and sells 7,000 motorist decals annually with six million vehicles crossing the bridge on a yearly basis, Grasso said.

Using EZ Pass, Grasso said would be taking on a partner, a partner, he said that would cost motorists crossing the Atlantic Beach Bridge much more money as in the years since EZ Pass has been implemented at the Lincoln Tunnel the toll is now $16 for passenger cars, with the A.B. Bridge toll remaining at $2 since 2007, and no increase is expected through 2027, Bridge Authority officials said.

“We have not raised the toll in 15 years and there are advantages and disadvantages to that,” Grasso said. “We don’t benefit from economies of scale.”

Originally built in 1927, the current Atlantic Beach Bridge was built and opened to the public 25 years later. The toll was established in the same year, 1952.

It is the only means of passing over Reynolds Channels and serves as an emergency evacuation route from the barrier island and connects to the Nassau Expressway, the Five Towns and surrounding communities.

A total overhaul of the bridge’s electro-mechanical apparatus was completed in 2012. The bascule span grid decking was completed replaced that according to Bridge Authority officials made the bridge “the newest and most structurally sound bridges in New York state.” Bridge Authority officials view rehabilitation of the toll plaza as the final piece of the renovations.

If interested or want to nominate someone to serve on the Re-imagining Atlantic Beach Bridge Toll Plaza Citizens Committee, send a letter of interest and qualifications/experience at Vincent@ncbaabb.com, no later than Dec. 31.