State Thruway to lay off 234 workers, cites hard times

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The New York State Thruway Authority is planning 234 layoffs to help shore up its finances, but no toll increases are planned.

Thruway spokesman Dan Weiller says the layoffs of full-time workers will be in all regions, including the Albany headquarters. The authority employs 29,068 workers.

Weiller says no toll increases of any type are planned.

The layoffs are expected to save $20 million. The authority's total is budget is $977 million.

Weiller says Wednesday the job cuts aren't linked the rejection of a toll increase for truckers last year.

The authority is run by appointees of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but is legally independent of state government. It operates the statewide toll highway and New York's canal system.