Four Million Dollars for Signs!

Only in New York? Maybe. On the locals newstations this morning was the announcement that the Triboro Bridge is having a name change. This bridge has had the same name since the 1930's. It is named Triboro because it connects three boros, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx. Those of us who live here are comfortable with the bridge, the name and we know where it takes us and where it doesn't.

So, on the news this morning was the announcement that this bridge is now the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge or RFK Bridge. Here is the kicker. In these economic times, where our bridge infrastructure is deteriorating, where the there are people losing their homes, jobs and there is an economic weakness the MTA (Metroplitan Transportation Authority) decides to change the name of the Triboro Bridge. Seems a bit disconnected from the world we live in. It costs me $5.00 in tolls to travel over the Triboro Bridge each way and the MTA is always crying poverty and requesting rate increases.

To change all of the signs from Triboro Bridge to Robert F. Kennedy Bridge cost FOUR MILLION DOLLARS, for signs, just the signs. The MTA is also working with the Robert Kennedy foundation to provide information to the public, so we don't get confused by this name change. So we don't cross the
Whitestone Bridge to go to New York City, I guess.

I kid you not. FOUR MILLION DOLLARS for signs.