The New Jersey Turnpike Authority today is expected to vote on a plan that would raise tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway to bankroll an array of transportation projects.

A public hearing is scheduled for this morning on the proposal, which is the state’s third attempt at a toll increase this year. Following the public hearing, the Turnpike Authority plans another special meeting in the afternoon to formally approve the plan. Gov. Jon Corzine has indicated he will sign it.

The vote comes a week after the governor said he would reject the authority’s original plan and asked for cuts from a list of transportation projects to be paid for with toll money.

Corzine — who earlier this year unsuccessfully proposed 800 percent toll hikes during 14 years to pay down state debt, buy open space and fund transportation projects — said he wanted to minimize the burden in light of the ailing economy.

“We’re following the mandate of the governor to cut our operating budget and only advance critical safety and congestion relief projects,” said Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri, the authority’s chairman.

The latest plan would raise tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway twice, in 2008 and 2012 — eliminating a proposed increase for 2023. A driver now paying $1.20 for the average 23-mile trip on the Turnpike would pay $1.70 beginning this December and $2.60 in 2012. The Turnpike had proposed charging 10 cents more for each toll increase.

The Garden State Parkway tolls would still increase from 35 cents to 50 cents in December, and to 75 cents in 2012, but another 10-cent increase in 2023 would be scrapped.

Drivers would also see discounts, including continuing a current 25 percent discount for cars with E-ZPass during off-peak hours; providing a new 10 percent discount during off-peak hours for E-ZPass drivers who are at least 65 years old; adding a new 5 percent discount for truckers who use E-ZPass during off-peak hours; and an extra 10 percent discount for drivers of fuel-efficient vehicles.

(Source: Star Ledger)