On July 1, truckers will begin paying $20 instead of $16.25 in cash tolls to drive a five-axle truck across tolled Delaware River bridges between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission unanimously approved the increase for its seven toll bridges May 2. The hike is to pay debt, continue capital improvements and offset diminished truck revenue collections from 2008 and 2009. The entity last approved an increase in 2001 and the final phase of which was implemented in 2007.
Drivers of trucks with three or more axles will pay $4 instead $3.25 per axle after the hike. The commission will continue its 10-percent E-Z Pass discount for trucks during the off-peak hours of 9:01 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.
Under the new rate, passenger vehicle cash customers will pay a base toll of $1 instead of 75 cents.
The commission is a self-supporting agency operating bridges in a 140-mile jurisdiction along the Delaware River.