September 14, 2011 U.S.

Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary LaHood: On behalf of our 1.6 million AAA members, we ask that you join us in opposing the unprecedented and unlawful toll increases by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey scheduled to take effect on September 18, 2011. In our opinion, the increases contravene federal law, impede interstate commerce and establish a new and ill-conceived policy of diverting toll revenue from interstate facilities to speculative real estate development projects. As you are no doubt aware, federal Bridge Act requires bridge tolls to be just and reasonable (Title 33 U.S.C., section 508) and the federal courts have consistently interpreted that to require that increase to interstate tolls be used only for facilities that have functional relationship to those bridges. (Automobile Club of New York, Inc. v. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 887 F2nd. 417 C.A. 2 NY 1989). The current toll increases approved by the Governors of New York and New Jersey will bring the rush-hour cash tolls to $15 by 2015. While the Authority failed to publicly disclose a detailed Capital Expenditure Plan, it has issued press releases stating that substantial toll increases are needed because of its escalating real estate development expenses at the World Trade Center. These unprecedented toll hikes come at a time our regions roads and bridges are deteriorating. Indeed, every bridge owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is rated as functionally obsolete by the Federal Highway Administration, yet the vast majority of the revenues generated by the increase will not go to transportation. Today, more than ever, we should ensure that tolls on the busiest interstate facilities in the Northeast corridor are not diverted to unrelated projects. Accordingly, we urge you to join us in opposing the Port Authoritys use of toll revenue to fund speculative real estate development projects. Very truly yours,

Dennis J. Crossley President cc: New York Congressional Delegations

(Statements:USDOT Sec LaHood)