Feds look into toll hikes on NJ, Pa., NY bridges

The federal Government Accountability Office says it has begun probing toll increases on bridges in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. WAMC's Dave Lucas has more...

GAO spokesman Ned Griffith says the agency is looking into whether bistate transportation authorities are accountable. The authorities, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, were created by compacts approved by Congress.

The Delaware River Port Authority and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission have both received requests for information from the GAO. Both agencies operate bridges that connect Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

A DRPA says there is an explanation why the agencies raised tolls from $3 to $5 between 2008 and last year.

U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, a Democrat from New Jersey, called for the investigation.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.