Possible Thruway Toll Increase

How can the replacement of one bridge in New York cause tolls to rise? The Tappan Zee Bridge near New York City has been slated to be replaced. But with over a five billion dollar price tag one credit agency believes such a huge capital project could be detrimental to the thruway. Chief Investment Officer Stephen Caruso says, "The S and P reaffirmed its current credit rating, which was A+, but they reduced their outlook from stable to negative. And I think that's a sign that without action that they could in the future downgrade the credit rating itself."

The action could mean a forty-five toll percent increase for commercial vehicles, as suggested by the s and p. But an increase to *all vehicles isn't out of the question. This concerns some drivers who use the thruway. Robert Hall of Ontario says, "I find the prices brutal in New York State. I would have to take the Thruway but I would have no other choice, just like gas millage I have to pay it and keep going otherwise I'm going to take an extra day traveling." Sandra Fratianni of Scadacoke says, "That's a heck of a lot, that's a lot. And I feel bad for the students because they're the ones that don't have a couple extra bucks in their pockets."

            If the proposed toll increase goes through one financial expert says everyday consumers will ultimately feel the affect. "The demands not going to decrease just because they raise the tolls. What's going to happen? Well those trucking companies aren't going to take an alternate route, they're going to raise costs and they're going to pass that on to shippers and consumer so I would agree definitely going to trickle down."