N.J. Lawmakers Want Delay on Toll Hikes

Sen. Frank Lautenberg and three fellow Democrats from the New Jersey federal congressional delegation have asked the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to delay scheduled toll increases, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported.

See related editorial: ‘Toll Justice’

The planned toll hikes should be suspended until an external audit determines that the audit recommendations have been addressed,” Lautenberg wrote in a letter also signed by Reps. Albio Sires, Bill Pascrell and Steve Rothman.

“State and local officials in New Jersey have recommended that the Port Authority delay the hikes while reforms are under way,” the letter stated.

Port Authority officials declined to comment on the letter, the Star-Ledger reported.

The authority set big toll increases last year over Hudson River crossings between New York and New Jersey.

Earlier this month, it said it was considering offering Hudson crossing toll discounts to truckers using E-ZPass.