Senator Kennedy Stands Opposed to Proposed Toll Hike

With regional equity concerns still unaddressed, Kennedy urges the Thruway Authority to reverse course on toll hike

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, voiced his opposition to the toll hike proposed by NYS Thruway Authority at their public hearing Thursday at the Downtown Central Library. In outlining his opposition, Kennedy detailed ongoing regional inequities and funding disparities that Western New York has suffered in recent years.

“Western New Yorkers stand opposed to this toll hike because our region has consistently experienced delays, downgrades and cancellations of Thruway Authority projects,” Kennedy said. “In the past, we were given promises for future investment in regional transportation infrastructure, but actual expenditures fell far short of any promises made.”

When the Thruway Authority unveiled their 2005-2011 Capital Plan, it included a total Western New York expenditure of approximately $593 million. The Authority contended that they needed a toll increase to pay for the capital plan, and local residents reluctantly accepted the new tolls because the region was promised such extensive road reconstruction.

In reality, the Thruway Authority only spent $390 million in Western New York over the course of the capital plan – which represents a funding shortfall of about $200 million, from the initially promised $593 million. At the same time, it was proposed that the New York City Division receive $684 million during the 2005-2011 Capital Plan, but the actual funding allocated to the downstate division amounted to $783.5 million – an increase of about $100 million over the original proposal.

“It’s a question of fairness,” Kennedy said. “Western New Yorkers were promised substantial road reconstruction projects if we agreed to pay higher tolls. Instead we got far less than what we were promised, while money was funneled downstate. It meant Western New Yorkers were stuck paying more, but getting less. The Thruway Authority must address this ongoing regional funding disparity.”

Kennedy also discussed the negative impact this dramatic toll hike could have on regional economic recovery. Numerous studies have indicated that Western New York is uniquely positioned to become a bi-national hub for trade and commerce. Increasing tolls would present a barrier to this economic opportunity.  

“Based on projected trade patterns and our region’s strategic advantages, the logistics and distribution industry could generate long-term economic growth and create good-paying jobs,” Kennedy said. “This 45 percent commercial-toll increase threatens to impede the development of this significant regional opportunity.”