Toll Increases Planned For 4 Bridges Linking NJ, Philadelphia

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey commuters who use four bridges linking New Jersey with Philadelphia will see tolls increase for the first time in more than a decade later this summer.

Last month, the Delaware River Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved a new schedule that will increase passenger vehicle tolls from $5 to $6, according to a news release. The final amount was down from a possible $6.75 toll discussed in May.

Tolls on trucks, mobile homes and recreational vehicles will also increase to $9 per axle, up from $7.50, and buses to $4.50 per axle from $3.75 per axle.

The new tolls go into effect Sept. 1.

This is the first time in 13 years that tolls have increased for Authority bridges, which include the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry, and Betsy Ross bridges.

PATCO fares will remain unchanged, officials said.

“DRPA must undertake vital safety and security upgrades and infrastructure improvements," DRPA Board Chairman James Schultz said in a statement. "Whenever we make decisions regarding tolls, we must do them through the lens of fiscal responsibility, and most importantly, safety."

According to officials, the increased tolls will help fund day-to-day operations and capital projects including reinforcing the bridge collision protection systems that protect the Ben Franklin and Walt Whitman bridges from ships, as well as painting and rehabilitating the bridge deck on the Commodore Barry Bridge.

The additional funding will also help improve the Authority’s ability to recruit and retain police officers, officials said.

Toll discount programs are available for frequent bridge commuters and senior citizens. Commuters using a New Jersey E-ZPass who make 18 or more round-trip bridge crossings in a calendar month can receive a discount. The discount only applies to non-commercial vehicles.