MTA work-zone speed camera tickets: the new bridge & tunnel program, the $50–$100 fines, and how to respond

Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) is a New York State program that uses mobile speed cameras to protect road crews in active construction zones. It was signed into law in 2021, has operated for years on NYSDOT roads and the NYS Thruway, and was amended in 2025 to add MTA Bridges and Tunnels (MTA program page).

• June 30, 2026 — the program goes live on MTA crossings; for the first 30 days, drivers caught going more than 10 mph over the work-zone limit receive warning notices (Governor's announcement, July 1, 2026).
• On or after July 30, 2026 — the fine phase can begin: violations are issued “no sooner than 30 days after the program starts” (MTA). If you cross an MTA bridge or tunnel today, assume real fines.
• The stated goal is crew safety: almost 900 fatalities and 40,000 injuries occurred in U.S. work zones in 2023.

This is a separate program from NYC's school-zone speed cameras — different operator (MTA Bridges and Tunnels, not NYC DOT), different locations, and a different fine schedule. For the school-zone program, see our school-zone speed camera guide.

Any MTA Bridges and Tunnels facility can have AWZSE enforcement whenever work is ongoing. That covers all nine crossings:

• Robert F. Kennedy (Triborough) Bridge
• Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
• Throgs Neck Bridge
• Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
• Queens Midtown Tunnel
• Hugh L. Carey (Brooklyn-Battery) Tunnel
• Henry Hudson Bridge
• Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
• Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge

The equipment — radar, cameras, and a computer — is mounted on an unmarked vehicle stationed in the work zone and operates during work hours. Signs alerting drivers to speed enforcement are posted ahead of the work zone, and signage indicates when AWZSE is in effect (MTA).

The camera triggers when a vehicle travels more than 10 mph over the posted work-zone speed limit. A certified MTA Bridges and Tunnels technician verifies the data before anything is issued; if a violation is confirmed, a Notice of Liability (NOL) is mailed to the registered owner — within 14 business days for New York-registered vehicles, within 45 days for out-of-state vehicles.

• First violation: $50
• Second violation: $75 (if within 18 months of the first)
• Third and subsequent violations: $100 each (if within 18 months of the first)
• Late fees apply on top if you don't pay or dispute on time.

Like other camera violations, these are owner-liability, non-moving infractions: no license points, nothing on your driving record, and nothing reported to your insurer. Fines are paid through the NYC Department of Finance — online, by mobile app, by mail, or in person at a DOF Business Center. For how camera tickets differ from officer-issued tickets generally, see our camera tickets overview.

Before paying or disputing, look at the actual evidence. Images (and data such as the posted speed and your recorded speed) are available at ViolationInfo.com — enter the Violation Notice number and PIN printed on the front of your NOL. The recorded images can also be used as evidence at a hearing.

• Check the plate and vehicle in the photos against yours — misread plates happen with any camera system.
• Check the recorded speed vs. the posted work-zone limit — the threshold is more than 10 mph over the posted limit.
• Stolen vehicle or plate at the time of the violation is a real defense — document the police report.
• To dispute, follow the instructions on the notice: online, by mobile app, by mail, or in person. Notices believed to be issued in error can be contested at an administrative hearing.

Be realistic: every violation is verified by a technician before issuance, and the NOL is owner-liability — “I wasn't driving” is not a defense. If the photos clearly show your vehicle over the threshold in a signed work zone, paying promptly avoids late fees. For strategy on camera disputes generally, see how to fight a NYC camera ticket.

All four are civil, owner-liability programs with no license points. The AWZSE ladder resets if you go 18 months without a violation. Note that AWZSE notices come from MTA Bridges and Tunnels — if you get a text message demanding payment, it is a scam; see our scam texts guide.