Congestion at the Cross-Har bour Tunnel is expected to reach chronic proportions as fees at other crossings rise.
There were fears of this yesterday after an originally rejected application for a toll increase for the Eastern Harbour Tunnel was awarded after arbitration.
The announcement came the day after the Western Harbour Tunnel opened, charging car drivers $30.
The increased costs may mean many motorists choose to use the cheapest route, the Cross-Harbour Tunnel at $10, even though it is already heavily congested.
Eastern Harbour Tunnel tolls will increase by $5 to $15 for cars and taxis from January.
The Transport Branch, which with the Executive Council rejected the proposal two years ago, said it would not seek an appeal under advice from the Attorney-General and would soon gazette the increase.
Eastern Harbour Tunnel general manager Alexander Chan Sing-cheung said that the increase was justified as the company was not making a reasonable return under existing prices.