GRAND ISLAND, NY - Some progress is being made to bring cashless tolls to the Grand Island bridges. Construction to bring them to the island is picking up.
The North Grand Island Bridge on the 190 southbound is the actual gantry that will become operational when Grand Island tolls go cashless. Drivers will go under to pay their toll.
There's been a lot of electrical work done in recent weeks near the toll plazas - all in preparation for the switch.
spokesperson for the Thruway Authority says a second gantry is expected to arrive later this week and be installed just north of the South Grand Island Bridge, where a construction crew has been doing work.
State Senator Chris Jacobs has been following the cashless tolling project. "I actually spoke last week with the contractor that's doing the work with the installation process and it seems like they're moving well," he says.
The Thruway Authority says cashless tolling on the Island is expected to become operational between mid to late March. Once that happens, according to the Thruway Authority, drivers for a brief period of time will go through the old toll plazas, which will not be operational and then go through the new tolls.
Drivers with EZ Pass will have their accounts debited.
Drivers without EZ Pass will get a bill in the mail.
Shortly thereafter, we've been told, the old barriers will come down.
When 2 on Your Side asked Jacobs what drivers and residents should know, he said, "Well I think that this is a win. We've heard over the years that I think people have made decisions not to locate on the island because of the challenges of the tolls."
The state says 65,000 drivers on average use the Grand Island bridges every day.
Jacobs and other elected officials hope cashless tolls will not only reduces congestion and pollution, but also attracts businesses to Grand Island.
Meantime, Jacobs tells us he's still pushing a bill that would take toll revenue from the bridges and share it with Niagara Falls, Grand Island, and Tonawanda, which endure all that traffic volume.
Right now, cash revenue goes to the state.
"What is that opposition or obstacle to actually getting it approved - is it the Thruway Authority saying, hey we don't want to give up that money?" 2 on Your Side asked Jacobs.
"Absolutely, yeah, they want to hold onto all the money that they can get and we have to make the case that fairness should dictate," he said.
Jacobs says the Grand Island bridges generate $20 million in revenue.
His bill remains in committee and he needs a sponsor in the Assembly.