EMBATTLED PORT AUTHORITY STILL FIGHTING TOLL HIKE LAWSUIT
Transportation experts question impact of soaring World Trade Center costs on agency finances, tollpayers
While political attention remains riveted on the Bridge-gate scandal that forced the resignation of Gov. Christie’s top two lieutenants at the Port Authority, the bistate agency remains embroiled in a lawsuit challenging the legality of its massive multiyear toll hike. At the heart of the suit is the allegation that toll revenue is being illegally diverted from transportation projects to pay for billions of dollars in cost overruns on the World Trade Center project.
For two years, the Port Authority has been battling to block the release of documents showing its internal deliberations leading up to its controversial September 2011 decision — jammed through after just one day of hearings — to raise tolls on the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels; George Washington, Bayonne and Goethals bridges; and the Outerbridge Crossing from $8 then to $12 today and $15 by 2015. (Magyar/NJSpotlight)