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Tappan Zee Bridge Toll Could Triple, Report Reveals

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. -- If the New York State Thruway Authority hit the toll targets to help fund the new Tappan Zee Bridge using only money from the motorists who use the crossing, tolls would have to increase to about $15 per car by 2018, according to the Empire Center. 

The Tappan Zee Bridge could have to raise its tolls to as much as $15 by 2018 in order to balance the Thruway Authority's budget.

The Tappan Zee Bridge could have to raise its tolls to as much as $15 by 2018 in order to balance the Thruway Authority's budget.

Photo Credit: Contributed

The Thruway Authority has a toll revenue target in each year's spending plan, and the continuing absence of a separate (public) financial plan for the Tappan Zee construction creates something of a financial mess, the Empire Center said. 

For the Tappan Zee project alone, the Thruway Authority would have to raise rates from the current $4.75 to $5.90 for 2015 and ultimately up to about $15 by 2018 to keep the books balanced, according to the Empire Center. 

In order to keep finances in check based on toll targets, the Thruway Authority would have to raise tolls across the entire system by as much as 44 percent by 2018, the Empire Center said. 

The Thruway Authority has not approved any toll increases to date, but it is expected to discuss next year's budget at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 15, the Empire Center said.

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