NY Thruway Tolls Ratings agency warns of rough road for NY Thruway

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A major financial rating agency warns it is downgrading the New York state Thruway to a negative financial outlook and warns travelers of higher tolls ahead.

Standard & Poor's says it has reduced its outlook on bonds used in borrowing to finance the state Thruway Authority to negative, from stable. The ratings agency also said there may be a need for "aggressive" toll increases and raised concern about the cost of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Standard & Poor's states it is concerned about the uncertainty of the Thruway Authority of getting its proposed 45-percent in tolls for larger commercial trucks.

In addition, the ratings agency says its outlook also reflects concerns about the extraordinary cost of replacing the Tappan Zee Bridge.