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May 31, 2006 1:45 PM, EDT

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igher truck toll rates are set to take effect Saturday on the Indiana Toll Road, in the first rate change in more than 20 years, the Associated Press reported.

A typical 18-wheel, five-axle semi-trailer will pay $18, compared with the current rate of $14.55 to travel the entire 157-mile length of the Toll Road, AP said.

Although semi-trailers will pay 24% more under the new system, some buses and small delivery vehicles will see a price decrease, said Indiana Toll Road Director Mike McPhillips said, according to AP.

The current rate for two-axle trucks and buses traveling from Illinois to Ohio is $7.55. Under the new system, the toll will be $4.65, AP said. Passenger car rates will not change.

Meanwhile, a group seeking to block the state from leasing the toll road to a foreign consortium plans to appeal a judge’s ruling that it must post a $1.9 billion bond to move forward, AP reported.

A judge ruled Friday that the plaintiffs challenging the toll road’s sale to a Spanish-Australian group must post a $1.9 billion bond within 10 days if they want to continue to challenge the plan, AP said.

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) backs the sale, which would give the state $3.8 billion in exchange for turning over the road’s rights to the foreign group in a 75-year lease. (Click here for previous coverage.)