Delaware River Bridges Set for Toll Increases

News Summary

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has announced plans to raise toll rates on several bridges to combat rising construction costs. The toll adjustment will increase most passenger vehicle fees by 50 cents, while motorists without EZ-Pass will see their costs soar from $2 to $5. The toll hikes aim to ensure financial sustainability amid escalating infrastructure expenses, including significant increases in the prices of materials like asphalt and concrete. A rigorous public hearing process will accompany the proposed changes, allowing community feedback.

Delaware River Bridges Set for Toll Increases to Combat Rising Construction Costs

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is planning to increase toll rates on several bridges across the state to address the ever-growing costs associated with construction and infrastructure maintenance. This proposed “toll adjustment” aims to counterbalance the significant increase in expenses like construction financing that have escalated in recent years.

Starting next year, most passenger vehicle tolls will see a rise of 50 cents, bringing the fee to $2 per trip. Motorists who do not have EZ-Pass will face a more substantial increase, with the toll-by-plate cost jumping from $2 to $5. For larger vehicles that stand 8 feet or taller, the EZ-Pass rates will also rise by $2 to a new total of $6.50 per axle. Those who choose the toll-by-plate option will experience a $3 increase, resulting in an $8 per axle fee.

Bridges Affected by the Toll Increase

The Commission manages eight toll bridges that will be affected by the upcoming toll adjustments, which include:

• Milford-Montague (Route 206)
• Delaware Water Gap (I-80)
• Portland-Columbia (Routes 611, 46, 94)
• Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22)
• I-78
• New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202)
• Scudder Falls (I-295)
• Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1)

Toll collections occur on the Pennsylvania-bound side of these bridges, but it is important to note that the toll increase does not apply to the Dingmans Bridge, which is privately owned and operates a separate toll system. Additionally, the Commission maintains a total of 12 non-revenue-generating “toll-supported” bridges, relying entirely on toll revenues, without any public funding or subsidies.

Financial Concerns and Infrastructure Maintenance

Executive Director Joseph J. Resta highlighted alarming financial projections for 2026, predicting a possible shortfall in the agency’s general fund reserve balance and debt service coverage ratio. They are striving to ensure sustainable revenue streams as they face escalating construction costs, which include a 28% increase in hot-mix asphalt, a 46% jump in concrete, a 66% rise in structural steel, and a 44% surge in fuel prices over the past five years. As infrastructure continues to age, the need for constant oversight and maintenance funding remains a pressing concern.

Public Hearing Process

In contrast to other toll agencies, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission must undergo a rigorous public hearing process when proposing toll increases. This procedure includes a public comment period and virtual hearings, allowing community members to voice their opinions.

For those paying without EZ-Pass, the increased rates are reflective of added expenses tied to billing and processing payments. It is also noteworthy that the commission eliminated cash tolls from the system, shifting exclusively to electronic payments as of January 2024.

Comparative Toll Structures

Similar toll increases took effect on bridges managed by the Delaware River Port Authority as of September 1, 2024, with rates for passenger vehicles rising from $5 to $6.50 on notable crossings. The last toll hike for these bridges was 13 years ago, aiming to fund essential safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.

For senior citizens and frequent commuters using New Jersey EZ-Pass, discounted programs are available, including an $18 monthly credit for regular crossings. Further, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has adopted a new system called Open Road Tolling, which eliminates toll booths and introduces electronic gantries for toll collection, enhancing safety and efficiency for drivers.

The new tolling structure on the Turnpike now charges a flat rate of $1.09 per gantry, in addition to 7 cents per mile traveled, reflecting the trend of modernizing toll collection processes to accommodate evolving traffic and infrastructure demands.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Additional Resources

• NJ Herald: Toll Increases on Delaware River Bridges
• Wikipedia: Toll Bridge
• NBC Philadelphia: Cashless Tolling on NJ-PA Bridges
• Google Search: Toll Bridges NJ PA
• PA Turnpike: Open Road Tolling Explained
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Toll
• Fox29: Cashless Tolling Enforcement
• CBS News: Toll Increases PA NJ Bridges