E-ZPass accepted at Atlantic Beach Bridge starting Wednesday 

The Nassau County Bridge Authority will allow full E-ZPass access starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday at the Atlantic Beach Bridge after years of only accepting cash payments and bridge decals.

The bridge authority, which maintains Long Island’s only toll bridge, has been testing E-ZPass for commuters for the past week for certain periods throughout the day since 5 a.m. last Thursday, said Raymond Webb, executive director of the bridge authority.

Sensors were installed in recent months and E-ZPass transponders from New York and New Jersey have been tested. A grand opening for the bridge’s E-ZPass system is scheduled for Dec. 20.

“It’s been incredibly well received,” Webb said. “I can say it’s been seamless. We’re not seeing many bugs at all.”

Commuters on the bridge using E-ZPass will be billed $3 per trip but cash tolls are going up to $4.

Residents of the barrier island, including Point Lookout, Lido Beach, Long Beach and Atlantic Beach, who register their vehicles with the bridge authority can receive a discounted rate of $2.50 per trip with the E-ZPass or $162 annually. Nassau County residents can register their vehicles for an annual discounted fee of $199.

Non-Nassau County residents, including Suffolk and New York City residents, can register their vehicles for a $349 annual fee.

Last year, bridge operators raised the tolls from $2 to $3, the first increase since 2007, Webb said. Previously, the authority sold its own vehicle decals, which were billed and are now being eliminated.

The drawbridge connects Lawrence and Atlantic Beach, passing over the west end of Reynolds Channel. It also provides direct access to the Rockaway Peninsula.

The original bridge opened in 1927, with the current bridge opening in 1952 and being rebuilt in 1998. It is crossed by vehicles about 6 million times annually.

Beth Garnett, 56, of Atlantic Beach, who runs the group, Atlantic Beach and Neighbors, said she’s still seeking to reduce the toll increase from last year as well as the additional planned cash toll increase.

Her group collected a petition with 3,000 signatures seeking to rescind the toll hikes and increase transparency by the board.

“My entire life, I’ve been paying a toll. I got used to knowing I had to pay a toll where I live. No one’s been happy about it but now it’s become unacceptable,” said Garnett, who doesn't use E-ZPass.

She said the toll increases have also been passed to other service providers, such as ride-share companies asking for reimbursement and additional fees charged to commercial vehicles and contractors.

“The toll hike affects E-ZPass and is detrimental to local commerce and businesses and restaurants on the barrier island,” Garnett said. “People try to avoid the bridge to avoid the toll. They think E-ZPass would solve the problem, but it all adds up.”

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.