Plans underway to raise tolls on Delaware Memorial Bridge

The Delaware River and Bay Authority today announced hearings to discuss a proposed toll increase for the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

The first phase of the increase, if approved, will affect only those customers who pay with cash, and that toll will go up from $5 to $6 for autos, pickups, vans and motorcycles.

“E-ZPass rates and discount rate plans will not be touched,” an agency spokesman said.

The E-ZPass rate is now $4.75 for autos, pickups, vans and motorcycles.

The increase, when voted in, brings the bridge in line with the $6 rate that began Sept. 1 on the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges.

The authority is justifying the increase by the need to prepare for cashless tolling and long list of capital improvements.

“In the near future, we expect neighboring toll agencies to proceed with cashless tolling operations, and we need to be prepared for that eventuality,” DRBA Executive Director Thomas J. Cook said in the announcement.

“Our first goal is to increase E-ZPass penetration among Delaware Memorial Bridge customers to a level greater than 85%, with the second objective of setting toll rates sufficient to fund an aggressive capital improvement program for our crossing facilities in subsequent years.

“Significant investment in our infrastructure, which is dictated by its age, condition, operating environment and heavy volume of usage, continues to be our top priority.”

The first hearing will be 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Vincent A. Julia Center adjacent to the Delaware Memorial Bridge Toll Plaza.

The second hearing follows at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Salem Community College Davidow Performing Arts Theatre in Carneys Point Township, New Jersey.

“In future years, revenue projections will be insufficient to provide borrowing capacity or cash revenue to fund necessary infrastructure investment projects, which are expected to cost more than $550 million over the next five years,” the announcement said.

Capital projects planned at Delaware Memorial Bridge and Cape May-Lewes Ferry

“The following are some of the major capital projects planned at Delaware Memorial Bridge and Cape May-Lewes Ferry during the next several years:

• New vessel program at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry ($60 million).
• Bridge steelwork repairs ($52.7 million).
• Bridge paint removal and recoating ($37.1 million).
• Ship collision protection system ($30 million).
• Cashless tolling ($21 million).
• Route 295 Bridge 1 widening ($11.5 million).
• Suspension rope replacement ($11.5 million).
• Worker safety/fall protection ($11 million).