Cuomo: Tappan Zee Toll Hikes Excessive

Governor Andrew Cuomo has voiced opposition to proposed Tappan Zee toll hikes, from $5 to $14 come 2017.

In a letter to the New York State Thruway Authority (NYSTA)—the government agency overseeing the —Cuomo calls for the creation of a task force to explore less pricey solutions.

The task force would be comprised of federal, state and local officials, Cuomo said.

Word of the proposed toll hikes at a Rockland County forum with bridge officials. Commuters with E-ZPass would likely pay less if the toll hikes go into effect.

Since news broke, and have weighed in—most of them assailing the plan as too expensive.

Greenburgh town supervisor Paul Feiner is lauding Cuomo's statement as much-needed.

"I want to express my appreciation to governor Cuomo for listening to the community," Feiner said. "It’s great to have a governor in office who is trying hard to be responsive to concerns of the electorate. $14 tolls would have had a very negative impact on small and large businesses in Westchester and Rockland. Hopefully, the Tappan Zee bridge, when it is built, will not be only for the rich."

Feiner had planned a meeting for Wednesday of next week to blast the toll plans, but has since called it off.

"In light of the governor’s responsiveness to the concerns of residents who object to the toll hike, there is no need to have the meeting," he said.

Feiner was also a supporter of , and idea that has since been dismissed.

The Tappan Zee Bridge project's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) , and spotlights issues like noise problems for nearby residents and .