The New York State Thruway Authority Board has once again postponed a meeting that was scheduled for late Tuesday morning.
There was speculation that the Authority might approve a 45 percent toll increase for commercial trucks. The meeting was to take place in Albany.
A board meeting on Friday was abruptly canceled after word spread that the Thruway Authority was reportedly considering a vote on the toll hike.
WBFO News spoke vice-chair of the Thruway Board of Directors Donna Luh of Depew. She could not confirm if a vote on toll increase will be on the meeting agenda.
Luh would not say how she will vote when it is before board members.
"First of all we have a responsibility as board members. We have to keep the Thruway Authority running and we have that as a major responsibility," said Luh.
This past August the Authority held public hearings were held where members of the trucking industry described potential hardship if the toll hikes are approved.
Luh says the board is sensitive to the impact of the toll increases on its patrons.
"But I certainly understand what the hardship a 45 % increase would have on others," said Luh.
The Authority says the toll hike on heavy trucks is needed because of the wear and tear that occurs from the trucks along the entire stretch of the Thruway.
The proposed increase would raise the trip cost along the Thruway from Buffalo to Albany to about $20 for trucks