Unshackle Upstate Demanding Audit of State Thruway Authority

A major New York State business group is demanding a thorough audit of the State Thruway Authority before it raises tolls for larger trucks on the cross-state highway. Several public hearings are planned to seek out more comment on what the state Thruway Authority had termed a "modest'' 45-percent increase for trucks with three or more axles. The Unshackle Upstate group is calling for a delay in starting the proposed toll until a "forensic audit'' is completed. Unshackle Upstate says enough savings could be found to reduce or eliminate the toll increase the group says will threaten jobs. The toll for a three-axle truck traveling from Buffalo to New York City is about $88. That could increase to $127 under the board's proposal.