The Daily Freeman is reporting the Rip Van Winkle Bridge had the largest increase in vehicle crossings among five local toll bridges so far this year, according to the New York State Bridge Authority. The bridge, which connects Catskill and Greenport, had just under 3.6 million crossings from January to August, a gain of almost 55,000. The Bear Mountain Bridge, which connects Cortlandt, in Westchester Co., and Stony Point, in Rockland Co., had 4.6 million crossings, a gain of nearly 40,000. Three other bridges, the Newburgh-Beacon, Mid-Hudson and Kingston-Rhinecliff, all experienced declines in traffic volume. Drivers pay tolls to cross the bridges eastbound. Westbound crossings are free. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.