N.J. Considers Higher Tolls

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State officials are contemplating raising tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike by 17 to 20% in the next three years to pay for $900 million in road improvements.

The authority’s commissioners are considering two possible toll increases, said executive director Edward Gross. One would raise tolls by 10% next year and another 10% in 2003. The other option would raise tolls by 17% in 2000.

The turnpike authority has not raised tolls on the 148-mile highway since 1991, when Gov. Jim Florio’s administration raised prices by 70% for cars and doubled tolls for trucks.

Gaining the support of trucking for a toll increase is critical, Gross said, because the turnpike does not want truckers to seek alternative, less expensive routes.

Many truckers left the turnpike after tolls went up in 1991 and since then the authority has attempted to lure them back by offering discounts and fuel debates. (1-4, p. 1).

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