NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The American Automobile Association has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against the Port Authority’s recent toll hikes.

Tolls at Hudson River crossings went up 50 percent last week from $4 to a new total of $12. For E-ZPass users, tolls spiked $1.50 to $9.50.

AAA said the toll increase violates federal law requiring tolls to be just and reasonable.

The motorists’ group says the reason for the hike is to generate money to subsidize the rebuilding of the World Trade Center project.

Robert Sinclair of AAA has said the increases are “unprecedented and unlawful.” He added that according to a prior legal ruling, toll revenue must be used for transportation initiatives.

Representatives from the Port Authority had said they needed the increase to offset low revenue due to the down economy.