New York – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced on Tuesday, starting from September 22nd, they will officially start penalizing vehicles that speed in construction zones on MTA bridges and tunnels. Any vehicle that exceeds the speed limit in the construction zone by more than 10 miles per hour will face a fine of $50 for the first offense, with fines increasing up to $100 for multiple violations within 18 months.
The “Construction Zone Automated Speed Enforcement Program” was launched at the end of June, starting with issuing written warnings in the first phase. Up to now, over 15,780 warning notices have been issued. As of September 22nd, the program enters the second phase, where speeding vehicle owners will receive official citations.
The fine system is progressive: $50 for the first offense; $75 for the second offense within 18 months of the first violation; and $100 for each subsequent violation during the same period. Failure to pay on time may result in additional fees.
According to MTA data, since the implementation of the program, surveillance equipment has been deployed in 200 construction zones, capturing over 33,000 vehicles driving at speeds exceeding the limit by more than 10 miles per hour, with an average speed of 14.5 miles per hour over the limit. In one extreme case, a vehicle was caught speeding at 111 miles per hour in a 45-mile per hour construction zone, while another was recorded at 109 miles per hour in a 35-mile per hour zone.
The enforcement covers nine bridges and tunnels managed by MTA in the five boroughs of New York City, including the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, Henry Hudson Bridge, Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, as well as the Battery Park Tunnel, Midtown Tunnel, Marine Highway Bridge, and the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge.
During the enforcement period, unmarked vehicles equipped with radars and cameras will be stationed in active construction zones to capture speeding vehicles during work hours. Warning signs will be placed before the construction zones to alert drivers. All violations will be verified by certified technicians before citations are issued.
These fines fall under “non-moving infractions,” which do not impact driving records or be reported to car insurance companies.
The Construction Zone Automated Speed Enforcement was enacted by Governor Hochu in 2021, initially applying to state highways and later expanded to MTA bridges and tunnels in 2025. MTA stated that the program aims to deter speeding in construction zones, reduce the risk of accidents, and ensure the safety of road workers and drivers. In 2023, nearly 900 fatal accidents occurred in construction zones across the U.S., with approximately 40,000 individuals injured.