Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday vetoed a bill that would have allowed Onondaga County residents to travel toll-free on the New York State Thruway at six interchanges in the county.

State lawmakers passed the commuter pass bill earlier this year, touting it as a solution to help ease traffic congestion in Onondaga County during the Interstate 81 construction project.

But Hochul in a veto message issued Friday night said the bill would have violated terms the Thruway Authority agreed to when bonds were issued to finance its construction.

“Legislation that requires free or reduced tolls violates existing bond covenants, and an exemption for one group of motorists will lead to toll increases for others that use the system,” Hochul wrote. “Therefore, I am constrained to veto this bill.”

If

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