New York MTA Bridges and Tunnels Celebrates 90th Anniversary

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) celebrated the 90th anniversary of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, which operates and maintains seven bridges and two tunnels linking the five boroughs of New York City, according to the agency's news release.

MTA Bridges and Tunnels was originally founded as the Triborough Bridge Authority (TBA) in 1933 by New York State to complete construction of the Triborough Bridge, which was renamed the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge in 2008. 

In 1937, the agency’s first full year of operation, the agency recorded 11.2 million crossings, with only the Triborough Bridge under its operation at the time. Last year, the agency reported 327 million crossings — a nearly thirty-fold increase since its founding — and a record in surplus toll revenue of nearly $1.2 billion dollars to support the MTA’s public transit services. 

MTA Bridges and Tunnels has made advances in operating efficiencies leading to greater traffic throughput, road safety, and customer experience through the installation of Open Road Tolling (ORT) in 2017. Since implementation of cashless tolling, average daily traffic through B&T facilities has increased by 7%, customer travel time has been reduced, and the rate of collisions has decreased.

“Joining Bridges and Tunnels around the agency’s 90th anniversary has underscored to me the impressive work which has been done at this agency,” said Catherine Sheridan, MTA Bridges and Tunnels interim president. “As an engineer, I’m excited to be leading an agency with infrastructure designed and built by some of the most significant bridge and tunnel engineers in history “I look forward to working with our talented team in maintaining our strong record and advancing future achievements.” 

MTA Bridges and Tunnels is planning further enhancements to customer experience and road safety through safety improvement projects focused on reducing congestion.

Additionally, in coordination with NYC Department of Transportation, Bridges and Tunnels plays a role in improving regional mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians and micromobility users through Extending Transit’s Reach, through the MTA’s recently released Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Micromobility Strategic Action Plan.

At the RFK Bridge where the TBA began in 1933, crews are building a 650-foot long stair-free ramp connecting the bridge’s walkway to the Manhattan Greenway being developed on the Harlem River.