New Jersey officials are scaling back their controversial proposal to hike tolls.


Under the revised plan, the toll for the average truck trip on the New Jersey Turnpike would increase by $2.05 this year and $3.75 in 2012. The average truck trip on the Garden State Parkway would increase by 60 cents this year and 95 cents in 2012.

The 25 percent off-peak discount for E-ZPass users on the Turnpike would be continued. In addition, an across-the-board, 5 percent, off-peak E-ZPass discount has also been proposed for all truck drivers using the Turnpike and Parkway. The off-peak discount will be offered 20 hours out of the day.

"Reducing truck drivers' financial burden and encouraging them to travel during less congested travel times and to continue to use the Turnpike and Parkway, rather than local roads, are important objectives," wrote Kris Kolluri, chairman of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, in a letter to Gov. John Corzine outlining the proposal.

Corzine had asked the Authority to revise the plan in response to the current economic conditions as well as the public comments gathered at three public hearings and written comments submitted.

As part of the proposal, some of the projects planned by Turnpike Authority will be scaled back. The Authority also will be cutting $13.8 million in costs, including eliminating job positions, a hiring and promotional freeze, reducing overtime pay.

Under the Turnpike's original proposal, the cost of the average truck trip on the Turnpike would have increased by $2.55 this year, $3.80 in 2012 and $1.15 by 2023. The average truck trip on the Parkway would have increased by 55 cents this year, 95 cents in 2012 and another 30 cents by 2023.