Rockaway Beach, Queens – Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) today sent a letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman, Joseph Lhota, requesting that the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge (CBB) Toll is lifted to provide economic relief for the communities affected by the sudden closure of twelve blocks of beaches in Rockaway Beach, Queens.

This past week, the New York City Parks Department announced that they would be closing twelve blocks of Rockaway Beach, between Beach 91st and 102nd streets, due to severe erosion and overall safety of beachgoers. Many residents and local businesses have expressed concerns over the impact of the closure on the local economy and revitalization of the community since Hurricane Sandy. Moreover, the $4.25 toll on the CBB, the only intra-borough bridge in New York State, creates an additional burden on consumers and businesses alike.

“The CBB toll has the impact of dividing communities, creating economic barriers, and hampering tourism. Now with part of the beach closed, our local businesses, and ultimately our economy, will take a huge hit this summer,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach). “Our business owners need as much help as the state can provide, and I am appealing to the MTA to step up and provide relief after this devastating setback.”

“The Queens Chamber of Commerce has advocated eliminating fully the toll on the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge. Now is exactly the right time, with the recently announced and unexpected 12 block beach closures, to remove this toll”, says Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “So much of the livelihood of the merchants and small businesses in this area of the Rockaways will be negatively impacted; it’s the least that government can do”

“Now more than ever we need to provide incentives for visitors to come to the Rockaway peninsula,” Dee Tubridy owner of Bungalow Bar said. “Any barriers we can remove to motivate visitors to enjoy a city beach and support the local economy should be done immediately. Eliminating this toll may be the difference to some businesses on whether or not they survive this season and beyond.”