South Bronx community leaders, health experts rally against congestion pricing
ABC News 7
By: Anthony Carlo
The impacts of the congestion pricing tolling plan reach far beyond Manhattan. Several miles north, people who live near the Cross Bronx Expressway have expressed concerns that drivers looking to avoid the toll will be diverted into their neighborhood - causing traffic and air quality issues.
One in five children in the South Bronx have asthma, according to South Bronx Asthma Partnership, Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center. Stephany Polanco watches her child struggle with respiratory issues.
"She thinks it's normal to have asthma because that's how frequent it is," she said.
On Thursday, members of the environmental justice organization South Bronx Unite displayed its arsenal of air quality monitors. With the state's plan to reduce congestion in parts of Manhattan now in full swing, the South Bronx continues to fight a losing battle.
"If congestion pricing is successful, we are supposed to take on about 4,000 more trucks and cars that will come across the RFK Bridge into our community - in or around our community - trying to divert from the tolls," said Mychal Johnson with South Bronx Unite
