The Throgs Neck Bridge crossing from Queens to the Bronx is one of the nicest in NYC. It connects the Clearview Expy & Cross Island Pkwy to the New England Thruway (I-95), Cross Bronx Expy & Bruckner Expy, some of the busiest highways around. It is similar in design to the Whitestone & Verrazano-Narrows Bridges in that they are cable suspension bridges with riveted plate steel arch towers only an enginerd can appreciate. Like the Whitestone, there are 3 lanes in each direction, but the lanes on the TNB are wider and easier to drive. As for the aesthetics, all MTA toll bridges are painted the same dull light gray. They must get a discount on it.
So I make this crossing just about everyday and hand over $5.33 (EZ Pass) to the MTA Bridge & Tunnel Authority for each crossing. Stay to the left for EZ Pass lanes and to the right if paying cash. I really wonder why some people still want to dish out the full $7.50 in cash. Once in a while, some numbnuts won't read the signs a mile before the toll, gets in the EZ Pass lanes and fouls up traffic trying to cut across 6 lanes to get to the cash booths. I'm just glad that the Throgs Neck doesn't have constant construction like the Whitestone, though on occasion, they will shut down lanes with no notice for repairs, inspections, etc. Overall, the Throgs, even though is an expensive crossing, they spend it well on maintenance for the approaches & the bridge itself making it a smooth, safe ride. There is no pedestrian access, so you can't enjoy the view except from your car.
Some sights along the drive? As you're going Bronx bound, look to the east and you will see this tiny little island in the middle of Long Island Sound. It's called the Devil's Stepping Stone and has an automated solar powered lighthouse on it. http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=751 Further up that way, you can see the boats moored by City Island and even further up the coast, you can spot the towers of Co-Op City and New Rochelle. The bridge also passes over the peninsula that the SUNY Maritime College occupies and you can usually see the ship that the midshipmen take out for their summer training cruise docked at the pier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TS_Empire_State_VI read more