Geez, even Canada gets it… Economic growth, resident need not pay a toll… What a concept! What a novel idea… NY just doesn’t want to get it.

Toll booth may be moved

he proposed new low-level bridge crossing at Cornwall could bring with it a whole new approach for motorists on Cornwall Island.

During a presentation to city council Monday night, bridge officials presented a conceptual plan which would see the Seaway International Bridge toll plaza moved from its location at the north end of Cornwall Island to an area south of the crossroads on the island.

The move would allow residents of Cornwall Island to travel to the city without having to go through the tolls. Similarly, city residents would be able to visit the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena or the Peace Tree Trade Centre on Cornwall Island without having to fork out a toll.

Akwesasne Grand Chief Tim Thompson said the relocation of the toll plaza could open new economic doors for his community.

“It (the toll location) has always been an issue with us. We’re very pleased with the toll being moved. It will surely help Akwesasne with economic development,” he said.
Along with the relocated toll plaza, the operations building of the Seaway International Bridge Corporation would also be moved south, closer to the south span of the crossing.

The current Canada customs building would be expanded and a new customs office would be built for incoming traffic, council heard. Space would also be made available for Akwesasne Mohawk Police in the vicinity of the new customs and bridge toll and operation centres.

Thompson said creating a substation for Akwesasne police on Cornwall Island would give members of the police service another location to handle paperwork aside from the main station in St. Regis. As it stands now, the police service does some work out of the customs building, the grand chief said.

The proposed bridge corridor on Cornwall Island is one of the final pieces in the years-long puzzle of developing a replacement plan for the aging Seaway bridge connecting Cornwall and Cornwall Island.