On Monday, the New York Metropolitan Transportation council approved a plan to replace the 3-mile long Tappan Zee Bridge. Once the $5.2 billion project is completed, the toll is expected to skyrocket.
After the council approved the pan, Governor Andrew Cuomo applied for a $2 billion federal loan.
Under the plan, the toll rate for cars is expected to rise from $5 per car to nearly three times that to $14 per car.
If the same rate percentage is applied to all vehicles, truck drivers can expect to pay out the nose,
“A five-axle truck currently that currently pays $6.75 to $13.50 for an eastbound trip and between $16.48 and $32.75 for a southbound trip depending on time of day could pay between $20 and $40 for an eastbound trip and between $49 and $98 for a southbound trip should the same formula be used,” Land Line Magazine reported.
With all the recent toll increases, drivers may be more inclined to avoid New York. By 2015, the George Washington Bridge toll is expected to hit $90 for trucks.
“The toll increase on the Tappan Zee, combined with other toll increases by the Port Authority and the Thruway Authority, is going to have a major impact on logistics in the New York area,” said OOIDA Director of Legislative Affairs Ryan Bowley.
“These tolls are stifling to businesses.”