If you ever were concerned about the effect bridge tolls have on traffic in the city — and through our neighborhood in particular — this is an awesome op-ed piece by Sam Schwartz, aka, “Gridlock Sam.”

Here’s a taste:

In fact, under the new toll rates, big five-axle tractor-trailers heading to New Jersey from Brooklyn will be charged $60 to stay on expressways in Brooklyn and Staten Island and cross the Verrazano Bridge but nada, not a cent, to travel the streets of downtown Brooklyn, bounce across the creaky Manhattan Bridge, rumble through Chinatown via Canal St., tour the West Village and Chelsea via Eighth Ave. and head out the Lincoln Tunnel.

Something has to be done. Especially with the BQE about to begin, what, a twenty-year construction project? Sigh.