ALBANY, N.Y. - Congestion pricing is coming to Manhattan after state lawamkers approved the new tolling fees as part of the state budget earlier this month. But to win enough votes, side deals were reached some lawmakers in exchange for projects in their districts.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic of Queens was able to win discounts for LIRR riders who take the train from the Murray Hill station just a few blocks outside her district. She also negotiated new bus service, and until it was promised by the MTA she would not sign off as a "yes" vote on congestion pricing.



"I think we have major concerns for outer-borough transit riders that needed to be addressed. And until that happneed, we weren't going to give in," Rozic said.

For Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, the ask was a full refund for Bronx residents on the Henry Hudson Bridge toll that connects Riverdale to Manhattan.

"A fair number of people from the Riverdale area drive into Kingsbridge and Marble Hill, much more congested neighborhoods, polluting the air, using more gas. And the reason they do that is called toll shopping. They want to avoid paying the toll," Dinowitz said.

Dinowitz got the refund he sought from the MTA and ultimately signed onto congestion pricing.



"I had very mixed feelings on congestion pricing. I was not a supporter originally. But I also saw the benefits," he added.

The money for these projects comes from the Outer Borough Transportation Fund that is funded from a fee on for-hire vehicles approved by the legislature last year. That fee was considered the first step toward full congestion pricing.



The fund has about $50 million. It will also be used to give all Queens residents a discount on the Cross Bay Bridge to Rockaway.

A source tells Spectrum News a fourth project is expected to be announced soon giving all city residents a discount on Metro-North and LIRR trains.

Those fees just went up on Sunday.