New York Thruway Authority proposes 3% toll hike

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 16, 2000) — The New York Thruway Authority proposes to raise tolls in June. Authority chief John Platt told the state Assembly’s Transportation Committee that without the increase, the authority would fall $216 million short of what it needs to pay off debt and pay for maintenance and construction during the next six years.

The authority has only increased its operating budget 1% since 1994, Platt said, but it needs more money so it can improve safety and relieve congestion along the Thruway. The authority wants to raise tolls this summer by roughly 3%.

Toll increases in following years would be tied to construction costs.