Tolls Set to Rise on Eight Delaware River Bridges Next Year
A rate hike is coming for drivers crossing eight bridges that span the Delaware River. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which manages 20 bridges between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has approved a new toll structure that will increase prices by as much as $3 per vehicle, depending on whether you pay with an E-ZPass or not.
The changes take effect in January next year and are expected to impact commuters driving into Pennsylvania. E-ZPass users will see their two-axle vehicle tolls rise by 50 cents, from $2 to $2.50, while non-E-ZPass users will face a jump of $2, from $3 to $5.
For larger vehicles like buses and trucks over 8 feet in height, the per-axle rate will increase from $6.50 to $8, up by $2. Meanwhile, passenger vehicle tolls on structures operated by the Delaware River Port Authority, such as the Ben Franklin Bridge, will remain at $6.
The eight bridges set to be affected are: Trenton-Morrisville, Scudder Falls, New Hope-Lambertville, I-78, Easton-Phillipsburg, Portland-Columbia, Delaware Water Gap, and Milford Montague. The commission cited rising construction costs and the need for better infrastructure as reasons behind the price increase.
"We've seen some financial projections that suggest we're at risk of falling short in our general fund reserve balance," said Joseph Resta, executive director of the DRJTBC. "These rate increases will help us maintain the structural integrity and safety of our bridges while also funding essential maintenance and operation needs like snow plowing and salting during the winter."
A rate hike is coming for drivers crossing eight bridges that span the Delaware River. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which manages 20 bridges between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, has approved a new toll structure that will increase prices by as much as $3 per vehicle, depending on whether you pay with an E-ZPass or not.
The changes take effect in January next year and are expected to impact commuters driving into Pennsylvania. E-ZPass users will see their two-axle vehicle tolls rise by 50 cents, from $2 to $2.50, while non-E-ZPass users will face a jump of $2, from $3 to $5.
For larger vehicles like buses and trucks over 8 feet in height, the per-axle rate will increase from $6.50 to $8, up by $2. Meanwhile, passenger vehicle tolls on structures operated by the Delaware River Port Authority, such as the Ben Franklin Bridge, will remain at $6.
The eight bridges set to be affected are: Trenton-Morrisville, Scudder Falls, New Hope-Lambertville, I-78, Easton-Phillipsburg, Portland-Columbia, Delaware Water Gap, and Milford Montague. The commission cited rising construction costs and the need for better infrastructure as reasons behind the price increase.
"We've seen some financial projections that suggest we're at risk of falling short in our general fund reserve balance," said Joseph Resta, executive director of the DRJTBC. "These rate increases will help us maintain the structural integrity and safety of our bridges while also funding essential maintenance and operation needs like snow plowing and salting during the winter."
. And can't they just use that money to fix up the roads instead of just maintaining the bridges? It's like they're just taking from us to line their pockets 
.
$3 more? That's a lot 
. I hope they're not planning on raising them again soon 
. Commuters are gonna be so frustrated 
. Maybe we should consider alternative routes or carpooling 
?
. I mean, I get it, maintaining those bridges is a big job, but do we really need to pass on all this extra cash to us commuters? It feels like every time you drive somewhere, there's another fee or fine waiting for you at the end of the tunnel. And don't even get me started on the E-ZPass thing - why can't they just make it so everyone pays the same price if we use an E-ZPass already? 
. And let's be real, those construction costs are probably worth it for all that fancy new infrastructure 
. It's not like we're being nickel-and-dimed here... more like we're being asked to contribute to the greater good of bridge maintenance and snow plowing 
. Bring on January 2025 and my extra $2 toll payment 
. The increase is gonna hit commuters hard, especially with E-ZPass users seeing a $0.50 hike for 2-axle vehicles 
. On the other hand, non-E-ZPass users will see a whopping $2 jump, from $3 to $5 
.
. They're also trying to maintain bridge safety and structural integrity 
. The total revenue projected for next year is around $1.1 billion 
.
. It's not fair that they're paying an extra $2 per axle on top of what we already pay 
.
. Guess we'll just have to shell out the extra cash and deal with it 
, which is def important. E-ZPass users will still save $50 cents, though 
. Hoping these tolls don't become a major pain point for everyone #TollsGotMe, #DelawareRiverBridges