N.Y. Thruway Truck Tolls Set to Rise in January

Truck traffic will shift to secondary roads if a proposed toll increase on the New York state Thruway goes into effect, business leaders told state lawmakers Monday, the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle reported Tuesday.

A 10% increase for cash customers that was approved in 2005 is scheduled to take effect Jan. 6. The Thruway last raised tolls in 2005, and is considering 5% increases in 2009 and 2010, the paper said.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli announced a study of whether the increase is necessary and urged the authority not to put the increase into effect until the audit is complete, the paper reported.

One trucking company official told lawmakers of potential safety hazards created when trucks drive on secondary roads and the disruption that can be caused when trucks drive through small communities, the newspaper said.