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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