New York State Legislators Send Letter to Connecticut Governor Opposing Toll Proposal on I-684

WESTCHESTER, NY -- On Wednesday, November 20th, New York State legislators representing the communities surrounding Interstate 684 (I-684) in Westchester County sent a letter to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont expressing their strong opposition to any proposed toll for I-684. Earlier this month, Governor Lamont released his proposal to install a toll on the 1.4 mile stretch of I-684 that runs through Greenwich, Connecticut as part of a statewide initiative to generate revenue to invest in the state’s road and rail infrastructure. According to reports, the initial proposal was not well received by the Connecticut State Legislature, but modified versions of the proposal to install a toll on I-684 are being considered. 
 
Senator Shelley Mayer, Senator Peter Harckham, Assemblyman David Buchwald, and Assemblyman Kevin Byrne write: 
 
As the NYS legislators representing the communities surrounding the 1.4 miles of Interstate 684 (I-684) running through Connecticut, we are deeply concerned about and opposed to any proposal to introduce a toll on the small section of I-684 roadway running through Connecticut. In effect, it would create a “New York” tax on our constituents who must transverse this small section of Connecticut in their drive within New York State. 
 
We share your commitment to improving road and rail infrastructure, including the section of I-684 running through Connecticut. However, this plan clearly targets New York drivers and taxpayers and will increase traffic on New York and Connecticut’s secondary roads. Imposing a toll on a small section of roadway running through Connecticut within a one-mile section between two New York roadway sections creates a regressive tax on New York drivers, particularly burdensome for low-income commuters who have little choice in their daily travels. In addition, this proposed toll encourages drivers to avoid the toll by taking detours off of I-684 onto secondary roads through Connecticut and New York, resulting in increased local maintenance and road repair costs.  
 
To read the full letter sent to Governor Ned Lamont, click here.