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Port Authority Toll Collector Celebrated After 50 Years On The Job

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has honored a 78-year-old Holland Tunnel worker who's been on the job for 50 years.

As 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet reported, toll collector Liz Branch can still remember her first day and said it was chaos.

"I just got to the point where I said 'how much do you pay?' They said '$30 dollars.' And I said 'give it here,'" Branch recalled. "The next day I went into class and I said I don't know if I can hound this or not."

Port Authority Toll Collector Celebrated After 50 Years On The Job

But 50 years of work later, she has her answer. On Monday, Branch was honored with a breakfast celebration.

"This is fun! My co-workers are here, my friends are here, my haters are here (laughs). They all are here, but I love it," Branch said.

Holland Tunnel Operations Manager Laurie Price said Branch is the first person in the Port Authorities' Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department to reach the 50-year milestone.

"She is pretty great, we're pretty proud of her," Price said.

Branch said once the breakfast and balloons are gone, she'll be back in the booth working the night shift.

Holland Tunnel General Manager Tony Carvagno said they also dedicated lane 9 at the Holland Tunnel to Branch as well.

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