MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting the New York State Bridge Authority is reporting that drivers are staying off the roads unless absolutely necessary based on a 23.68 percent decline in traffic during the month of March on the five bridges operated by the authority. The decline resulted in a revenue loss of 17.49 percent. The largest traffic decline was recorded on the Mid-Hudson Bridge followed by the Kingston-Rhinecliff. The least decline was recorded on the Rip-Van Winkle. The Newburgh-Beacon lost more than a half-million crossings and the Mid-Hudson traffic declining by more than 300,000. State Senator Sue Serino of Hyde Park recently called on the Bridge Authority to delay its scheduled toll increase, which took effect May 1. Serino argued that people are facing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Bridge Authority said the increases would stand, noting that the additional revenue would be needed for maintenance of the bridge spans. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.