Looming Budget Shortfall Might Send Thruway Tolls Soaring

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The new Tappan Zee Bridge will generate a nearly $300 million revenue shortfall for the New York Thruway Authority by 2018, according to budget paperwork.

E.J. McMahon with the Empire Center for New York Policy told WCBS 880's Paul Murnane that the Thruway Authority might have to hike tolls 44 percent systemwide in four years or look at a nearly $16 toll on the new Tappan Zee.

McMahon said the challenge is to set a toll that's high enough to pay the bills but low enough to maintain the traffic count and revenue flow.

Listen to Looming Budget Shortfall Might Send Thruway Tolls Soaring

"They need to find some spot that people can afford that's not so high that people will simply avoid the bridge and create another financial problem," McMahon said.

A source told WCBS 880 there's more to consider than the documents from the Thruway Authority. McMahon said the time has come for the state to "lay the cards on the table."

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