Bridge Toll To Rise Soon In South Jersey, Unless You Use E-ZPass

PENNSVILLE, NJ — Tolls will rise on the Delaware Memorial Bridge in just a few weeks, unless you pay with E-ZPass.

Starting April 1, the cash rate for a typical passenger vehicle to cross the bridge will increase to $6 — a $1 bump over the current cost. E-ZPass users will continue to pay $4.75 per car.

It will be the first step in the Delaware River and Bay Authority's (DRBA) two-phase toll hike on the bridge that links South Jersey and Delaware.

The DRBA wants to convince more drivers to pay with E-ZPass when crossing the bridge. About 79 percent of Delaware Memorial Bridge drivers use the electronic tolling system, but the bridge authority hopes to exceed 90 percent.

All New York toll agencies, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority and the Maryland Transportation Authority have cashless tolling, while Delaware's newest toll facility on Route 301 opened all cashless, the DRBA noted. The Atlantic City Expressway plans to switch to all-electronic tolling this year.

"The goal of this initial phase is to encourage Delaware Memorial Bridge users to convert to E-ZPass," the DRBA said in a statement. "Neighboring toll agencies are expected to proceed with cashless tolling operations soon and the Authority needs to be prepared for that eventuality."

The second toll hike will impact all vehicles and payment methods — effective no earlier than Jan. 1, 2027.

The two-phase toll increase is also designed to help the DRBA fund capital projects for its bridges and facilities, which are expected to cost more than $550 million over the next five years.

To sign up for E-ZPass online, visit ezpassnj.com or the Delaware Memorial Bridge E-ZPass Walk-in Customer Service Center in New Castle, Delaware.

The dual-span Delaware Memorial Bridge connects Salem County's Pennsville Township with northern Delaware. More than 100,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily.