AAA Continues Fight Against Port Authority Toll Hikes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The American Automobile Association believes the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is violating federal law by spending toll revenue to rebuild the World Trade Center site.
The group is in court Friday seeking more detailed revenue and spending documents from the agency.
"We're looking for financial information that we think will show that they are using toll money to redevelop the World Trade Center which, according to the way we read legal precedent, would be against the law," AAA spokesman Robert Sinclair said.
WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports
Podcast
AAA filed a lawsuit last year after the Port Authority raised tolls at Hudson River crossings, calling the increases "unprecedented and unlawful."
Prior to AAA's court action, Sinclair said the Port Authority "said upfront, ostensibly that the toll hike was needed to pay for the World Trade Center."
He added that once AA filed the lawsui, the Port Authority retracted their statement and denied the money was being used for the project.
If AAA wins its lawsuit against the Port Authority, Sinclair hopes to roll back tolls to pre-hike levels and refund customers.
"We think it would be the right thing to do," Sinclair said.
The Port Authority has declined comment.
