Bridges and Tunnels Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General FAQs

  1. Which tunnels and bridges are operated by The Port Authority of NY and NJ?
  2. What types of vehicles can I take on the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels?
  3. Across which bridges may I walk or ride my bicycle?
  4. Where can I find information on traffic and vehicle restrictions at Port Authority tunnels and bridges?
  5. Where can I find information on conditions that may affect my travel, such as construction?

Tolls

  1. What is the toll to cross the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels?
  2. What are peak and off-peak travel times?
  3. Does the Port Authority offer any toll discounts?
  4. May I continue to use my Port Authority Scrip Tickets and Universal Tickets?
  5. What are the Port Authority’s near-term plans to upgrade its toll collection system?
  6. When will this upgraded system be installed?
  7. What are the benefits of the new toll collection system?

E-ZPass

  1. What happens if I go through an “E-ZPass Only” lane without an E-ZPass tag or fail to pay the toll in a staffed lane at a Port Authority crossing?
  2. What do I do if I have an E-ZPass but go through a cash lane?
  3. What do I do if my E-ZPass tag didn’t work and I received a violation notice in the mail?
  4. How can I keep track of my account?
  5. What do I do if my E-ZPass tag is lost or stolen?
  6. What happens if I speed at a Port Authority crossing and I receive a notice in the mail from E-ZPass?
  7. I received an email that appears to be part of the E-ZPass Phishing Scam. What should I do?

General FAQs

1. Which tunnels and bridges are operated by The Port Authority of NY and NJ?
The Port Authority operates and maintains all of the crossings between New York City and New Jersey.
  • George Washington Bridge
  • Lincoln Tunnel
  • Holland Tunnel
  • Bayonne Bridge
  • Goethals Bridge
  • Outerbridge Crossing
2. What types of vehicles can I take on the Port Authority's bridges & tunnels?
Type of Vehicle GWB Lincoln Holland Bayonne Goethals Outerbridge
Bike Yes
(Walkway Only)		 No No No* No* No
Car Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Car with tow Yes Yes, as per conditions set forth in Green Book Trailers and towed vehicles prohibited Yes Yes Yes
RV Yes, as per conditions set forth in Green Book Prohibited Prohibited Yes Yes Yes
Delivery Truck Upper level Yes, as per conditions set forth in Green Book Only two and three-axle single-unit trucks allowed Yes Yes Yes
Moving Truck Upper level Yes, as per conditions set forth in Green Book Only two and three-axle single-unit trucks allowed Yes Yes Yes
Semi-Rig Upper level Yes, as per conditions set forth in Green Book Only two and three-axle single-unit trucks allowed Yes Yes Yes
Hazmat Upper level, as per conditions set forth in Red Book No No Yes, as per conditions set forth in Red Book Yes, as per conditions set forth in Red Book Yes, as per conditions set forth in Red Book

*Note: A walkway will be available for bicyclists and pedestrians upon completion of construction at the Bayonne and Goethals Bridge.


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3. Across which bridges may I walk or ride my bicycle?

Currently, only the pedestrian walkway at the George Washington Bridge is open for pedestrians and bicyclists. Click here for more information on walking or riding across the George Washington Bridge.

The Bayonne Bridge’s pedestrian walkway is closed for the duration of the Raise the Roadway construction project.   As an alternative, The Port Authority offers a free weekend shuttle service during the peak usage months of May through October.

Click here to view the Bayonne Bridge Shuttle Service’s route and schedule during the months of May through October.

Upon completion of construction at the Bayonne and Goethals Bridges, a walkway will be available for pedestrians and bicyclists.

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4. Where can I find information on traffic and vehicle restrictions at Port Authority tunnels and bridges?

For information on traffic and vehicle restrictions, including hazardous materials regulations, please click here.

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5. Where can I find information on conditions that may affect my travel, such as construction?

Port Authority Alerts is a free subscription service that notifies customers of incidents or events that may affect their trip across facilities operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. When you register, you will:

  • Receive free alerts directly to your phone or e-mail account
  • Be able to select the facilities as well as the time ranges you wish to monitor

Click here for more information.

The Port Authority also publishes a weekly traffic advisory that lists scheduled construction and lane closures that may affect traffic and travel. Click here for more information.

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Tolls

1. What is the toll to cross the Port Authority’s bridges and tunnels?

The cash toll is always the same, regardless of the crossing or the time of day.  The toll is only charged when crossing into New York City. There are no tolls charged when leaving New York City. To learn more about tolls, click here.

E-ZPass users receive a discount off the cash toll, which varies by time of day. To learn more about available E-ZPass discounts, click here. 

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2. What are peak and off-peak travel times?

Peak periods are 6 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. All other times are off-peak.

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3. Does the Port Authority offer any toll discounts?

The Port Authority offers several discounts to E-ZPass users. Click here for more information on the following discount plans:

  • Port Authority Carpool Discount Plan
  • Port Authority Green Discount Plan
  • Port Authority Staten Island Bridges (SIB) Discount Plan
  • Port Authority Truck Volume Discount Plan

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4. May I continue to use my Port Authority Scrip Tickets and Universal Tickets?

Port Authority Scrip and Universal tickets are no longer accepted for toll payment in the toll lanes at Port Authority tunnels and bridges (effective July 1, 2012).

You may return your tickets to the Port Authority for a full refund of the price paid. Please remember, the monetary value of these tickets is 10 percent less than their face value. For example: a ticket with a $4 face value is redeemed at $3.60.

To obtain your refund, please mail your tickets, along with your name, mailing address, and telephone number to the address below. Please make a copy of what you send us for your records:

The Port Authority of NY & NJ
Tunnels, Bridges & Terminals Department
Customer Programs & Services
4 World Trade Center
150 Greenwich Street – 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10007
Attention: Toll Scrip Refund

Customers can get off-peak and other discounts at Port Authority crossings by using E-ZPass. Enrollment information can be found at www.e-zpassny.com.

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5. What are the Port Authority’s near-term plans to upgrade its toll collection system?

The Port Authority’s existing toll collection system is more than 18 years old and is in need of replacement. At its June 2014 meeting, the Board of Commissioners authorized a project to upgrade the agency’s toll collection system at its four bridges and two tunnels. The upgraded system is anticipated to be complete by the 2nd quarter of 2017.

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6. When will this upgraded system be installed?

Installation of a new toll collection system will be acquired through a competitive process, and will likely begin in the 4th quarter of 2018 and be completed by the end of 2020.

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7. What are the benefits of the new toll collection system?
  • Fewer lane closures due to equipment failure
  • Fewer customer billing questions from inaccurate charges caused by equipment malfunctions
  • Improved signage directing customers to the appropriate lane

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E-ZPass

1. What happens if I go through an "E-ZPass Only" lane without an E-ZPass tag or fail to pay the toll in a staffed lane at a Port Authority crossing?

For customers who use an “E-ZPass Only” lane without a valid E-ZPass tag, or fail to pay the toll in a staffed toll lane, a Notice of Toll Violation will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle. For first-time instances of failure to pay the toll, vehicle owners are asked to pay only the toll due and the administrative fee is waived, provided payment is made within 15 days of receiving the Notice of Toll Violation. Subsequent violations are subject to an administrative fee of $50 plus the toll for each occurrence. Please note the signs above the toll lanes carefully.

“E-ZPass Only” lanes are marked with the purple “E-ZPass” logo on top and the word “ONLY.”

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2. What do I do if I have an E-ZPass but go through a cash lane?

Keep driving, but obey the 5 MPH speed limit. All Port Authority toll lanes are equipped with E-ZPass readers. Your account will be billed just as if you had gone through an E-ZPass-only lane.

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3. What do I do if my E-ZPass tag didn’t work and I received a violation notice in the mail?

Call the Customer Service Center that maintains your account (and have your E-ZPass tag handy). The agency will check your account, credit your account if necessary, and send you a new E-ZPass tag. See the table below to see which agency maintains your account:

If your tag starts with... Your account is owned by: Phone Number Website
005 The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 800 333-8655 www.E-ZPassNY.com
004 New York State Thruway 800 333-8655 www.E-ZPassNY.com
008 MTA Bridges & Tunnels 800 333-8655 www.E-ZPassNY.com
022 New Jersey E-ZPass 888 288-6865 www.EZPassNJ.com
006 Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission 877 736-6727 www.Paturnpike.com
009 Delaware River Port Authority 888 288-6865 www.drpa.org
016 Maryland Transportation Authority 888 321-6824 www.mdtransportationauthority.com
021 Massachusetts Turnpike 888 525-3278 www.masspike.com
a different # Different Agency Call # on face of tag

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4. How can I keep track of my account?

You will receive a periodic statement that will detail all tolls by E-ZPass tag, location and amount, as well as any payments you have made. You can also call 800 333-TOLL (8655), or check your account on the E-ZPass website at any time. As stated in the E-ZPass Terms and Conditions, customers are responsible for maintaining a sufficient E-ZPass account balance.

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5. What do I do if my E-ZPass tag is lost or stolen?

If your tag is lost or stolen, report it immediately to the appropriate Customer Service Center (see a list of phone numbers on question 3), or by accessing your account under account information. The tag will be deactivated. You will not be responsible for any charges incurred after you report a lost or stolen tag. You may be liable for toll charges incurred prior to notification. You will be responsible for paying the full cost of the tag -- $16 for an interior tag or $22 for an exterior tag. Upon request, a new tag will be issued to you.

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6. What happens if I speed at a Port Authority crossing and I receive a notice in the mail from E-ZPass?

Your E-ZPass account may be suspended or revoked if you are issued a speeding violation at a toll plaza. If your tag is suspended due to speeding, you cannot use it at any toll plazas. If you use your tag when your account is suspended, you will incur an administrative fee of $50 per occurrence, be charged the full undiscounted toll, and/or be asked to surrender the tag.

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7. I received an email that appears to be part of the E-ZPass Phishing Scam. What should I do?

If you received email that appears to be part of the E-ZPass Phishing Scam, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).  IC3 is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the National White Collar Crime Center, and is dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies. 

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(212) 435-7000  •  4 World Trade Center, 150 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007