The state Thruway Authority announced its plans to lay 234 employees in the midst of financial issues.

The layoffs come as the Albany-based Thruway Authority decided to drop plans for a 45 percent toll increase on truck traffic on the 570-mile thoroughfare.

"There are ongoing fiscal challenges that we face, and further budget savings necessary," says Thruway spokesperson Daniel Weiller

The layoffs, which would have follow civil-service laws and union regulations on seniority--would save the authority about $20 million.

The agency has eliminated 361 positions since 2011.