The payroll for the bloated bi-state agency that runs the three airports, the bus terminal and six bridges and tunnels saw the number of employees making six-figure salaries soar by 205 in 2008.

Some executives received 20 percent raises, even as the authority increased tolls and bungled World Trade Center construction.

Last year, the agency spent $161 million to cover the salaries of 1,298 employees who earned more than $100,000 — about 18 percent of its workforce — according to records obtained by The Post. In 2007, the PA doled out $134 million to 1,093 employees raking in six-figure salaries.

Hefty raises to PA bigwigs and new positions accounted for much of the rise. The authority’s general counsel, Darrell Buchbinder, received the biggest bump, $35,802, bringing his total pay to $245,024.

The salary of the agency’s No. 2, Susan Bass Levin, increased by $31,460 to $283,452.

Two other executives, chief engineer Francis Lombardi and chief financial officer A. Paul Blanco, were close on her heels, receiving $29,000 raises that brought both of their salaries to $245,024. Another big breadwinner was Sanjay Mody, the adviser to the chairman, whose salary rose 20 percent — or $28,000 — to $168,012.

Chief operating officer Ernesto Butcher’s salary rose by 8 percent in 2007, then by 9 percent to $245,024 in 2008.

In all, the number of executives clearing more than $200,000 nearly doubled to 23 in 2008, from 12 in 2007.

A PA spokeswoman said the raises were the result of an analysis conducted by a consultant last year.

“The Port Authority operates some of the most sophisticated transportation projects,” agency spokeswoman Candace McAdams said. “We benchmark our management positions against both public and private sectors to attract and retain talent.”

McAdams said the PA has cut 383 non-police positions since 2004 for $40 million in annual savings.

Still, some critics were infuriated by the huge pay hikes in light of the PA raising tolls from $6 to $8 at six crossings in 2008 and the ongoing delays at Ground Zero. PATH fares also increased in 2008.

“It’s outrageous to give these people raises like that,” said Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro. “They admit that they have problems they can’t resolve at the World Trade Center. It’s eight years since 9/11, and we don’t have a memorial out there. It’s outrageous. How do you reward yourself for incompetence?”

“And there’s no one to check on it,” he lamented.

Source: NY Post