This week marks the 500th anniversary of Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano’s arrival in New York Bay — and to commemorate it, drivers should get a toll break on his famed namesake bridge, a local pol says.
The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Staten Island and Brooklyn, was opened in 1964 and named after the explorer, who entered the bay April 17, 1524.
“It’s fitting that the MTA make his namesake bridge free for the residents of the two boroughs it connects on April 17th, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Verrazzano discovering New York Bay,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn), to The Post.
“Verrazzano would be rolling in his grave if he knew about the cash grab this money-hungry agency was conducting in his name, which they even misspelled for decades,” the congresswoman cheekily added, referring to the MTA’s infamous spelling error of the explorer’s last name on its signs, giving him only one “z.”
He’d probably even sue for defamation,” the congresswoman quipped.
Malliotakis has already issued a congressional resolution honoring Verrazzano and acknowledging the 500th anniversary of his discovery of the bay on behalf of the French monarchy.
The MTA did not immediately respond to a Post request for comment on the proposed toll break.
The agency recently came under fire for trying to collect $750,000 in lost-toll revenues from the New York Road Runners Club over the New York City Marathon. The Verrazzano bridge is closed during the annual race — where runners start and go over bridge — and the transit agency said it should be reimbursed for the lost tolls.
But Gov. Kathy Hochul, who oversees the MTA, ordered the agency to back off messing with the iconic race and economic generator for New York City.
Meanwhile, local Italian-American civil leaders will celebrate the Verrazzano discovery anniversary in a ceremony by the explorer’s statue in Battery Park in Manhattan on Wednesday at noon.
They agreed with Malliotakis that the bridge should be toll-free Wednesday.
“Almost 100 years before Hudson, an intrepid Italian explorer made it to New York Harbor, and literally showed the way to this land of opportunity,” said John Calvelli, executive vice chairman of the National Italian American Foundation. “The MTA can honor his legacy by providing a little relief for the thousands of New Yorkers that travel on the bridge that bears his name.
“It isn’t every day you celebrate a 500th anniversary! Thank you Rep. Malliotakis for leading this effort!”
On Saturday, a street corner on Staten Island at Lily Pond Avenue and Major Avenue will be co-named after Giovanni da Verrazzano. City Councilman David Carr, who reps the borough’s neighborhoods by the bridge and requested the change, will preside.
