Cuomo silent on toll hike for trucks on Thruway

[WNYresident]

Cuomo silent on toll hike for trucks on Thruway

LBANY - Six weeks after his Thruway Authority board proposed a 45 percent increase in tolls on commercial trucks, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declined Tuesday to say whether he supports the hike. "In a perfect world, there would be no toll increases. Obviously, we don't live in a perfect world," Cuomo told reporters.

Read the full story in the Buffalo News


It's funny when they are running commercials about the "new" new york to attract businesses. What are the existing businesses footing the bill?

[WNYresident]

Has Cuomo address the 100's and 100's of employees that work at the authorities that are in the six figure club while putting our state billions in debt? I'm assuming the thurway authority is in that group.

[mikenold]

When the tolls are increased on truckers you can "put a fork in it". Not only will trucking companies travel through Pennsylvania and Canada to avoid the tolls but the trucks will also be ruining our main thoroughfare roads such as Broadway, Main, the 219, Southwestern etc as these roads will become the new thruway in this part of the state. So even our local taxes will increase due to the constant road work that will have to be done. Say NO to higher tolls, close the Thruway Authority and stop collecting tolls for good.

[Dan Roman]

When the tolls are increased on truckers you can "put a fork in it". Not only will trucking companies travel through Pennsylvania and Canada to avoid the tolls but the trucks will also be ruining our main thoroughfare roads such as Broadway, Main, the 219, Southwestern etc as these roads will become the new thruway in this part of the state. So even our local taxes will increase due to the constant road work that will have to be done. Say NO to higher tolls, close the Thruway Authority and stop collecting tolls for good.

They already are by-passing NYS. Unless they are making a delivery, why would you drive a vehicle that is going to get taxed and tolled to death in our state? Another example of a "business friendly" state.

[WNYresident]

There is talk that some of the money is needed to build a 4 billion+ bridge. Is this what that money will be used for?

[Dan Roman]

There is talk that some of the money is needed to build a 4 billion+ bridge. Is this what that money will be used for?

Looks like 5 plus billion now!

http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2012...breath-bridge/

http://www.thruway.ny.gov/news/press...bond-sale.html


"Initiated an adjustment in commercial toll rates"

Gov't at work, look out!

[WNYresident]

How does erie county benefit from that bridge if the tolls in our area go up?

[Dan Roman]

How does erie county benefit from that bridge if the tolls in our area go up?

Isn't just the thought that someday you may drive over that bridge on the way to NYC make it all better

[mikenold]

There is talk that some of the money is needed to build a 4 billion+ bridge. Is this what that money will be used for?

They already collected multiple millions/billions every year. The toll money collected is supposed to take care of all highway and bridge repair. But like any other government run entity, there is never enough money (spent on employees and administration) and the price always increases. I certainly hope they don't get to run health care.

[WNYresident]

Isn't just the thought that someday you may drive over that bridge on the way to NYC make it all better

It's billions of dollars all spent in one local area. I could see the "state" pulling together for some stuff but that is a bit much. If that bridge is needed for that local area let that local area cover the bulk of the cost.

[ILOVEDNY]

It's billions of dollars all spent in one local area. I could see the "state" pulling together for some stuff but that is a bit much. If that bridge is needed for that local area let that local area cover the bulk of the cost.

I live in Rockland.
The Tappan Zee Bridge connects Rockland to Westchester and allows the NY State Thruway to continue into NYC.
The locals here hate whats gonna happen during construction.
A 5 year project that will totally screw traffic along the river.
Several houses will be lost do to emminant domain.

Other houses (And this is some pricey real estate on the river. Al Pacino and Bill Murray live here just to name a few) will suffer significant value loss as the new bridge will literally go over their homes.

But the facts are:
The TZ Bridge is falling down.
It has been under constant construction the last 5 years just to keep it open.

The choices are few.
1) Build a new bridge.
2) Keep pouring millions into maintenence and hope for the best.
3) Let it close and lose the major NYC to Upstate NY transportation route.

[WNYresident]

Let it close and lose the major NYC to Upstate NY transportation route.

how would that effect WNY?

[granpabob]

The thruway owns the Erie Canal and that is a major money losing item that drains the Thruway funds. If the canal was separate like it used to be maybe the thruway would not have to raise it's tolls. Let the canal pay it's own way the Canal should be the one raising its tolls

[ILOVEDNY]

how would that effect WNY?

It would probably increase the costs of all goods shipped from the various ports in NY/NJ.
This would include meat, fish, vegetables and gas.

[WNYresident]

Loud opposition expected at Thruway hearing
Proposed toll increase for trucks unpopular

Updated: August 16, 2012, 11:03 AM

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Thruway officials are bracing for anything but a friendly reception tonight at a Buffalo hearing to gauge reaction to their idea for a 45 percent increase in truck tolls.

Virtually nobody outside of government has voiced support for the fifth proposed toll hike in seven years, even if the latest - slated for implementation Sept. 30 - applies only to commercial vehicles.

While Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has indicated the toll increase may be needed, a phalanx of transportation and business groups is rallying against the proposal with unprecedented intensity. As a result, most of those slated to attend tonight's session from 6 to 8 in the downtown Central Library auditorium expect only negative reaction.

Read the full story in the Buffalo News




I don't know why they just don't cut spending... right across the board...