CAMDEN, NJ (KYW Newsradio) — The Delaware River Port Authority is considering raising tolls on its four bridges for the first time since 2011.
The toll hike would increase from $5 to $6 on the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Betsy Ross and Commodore Barry bridges. For years, the DRPA Board has deferred a toll increase that would be based on the rate of inflation.
“We follow the Consumer Price Index standard. And for years, have been putting off allowing the Consumer Price Index to dictate the tolls,” said DRPA Chair James Schultz.
An increase based on the CPI would raise tolls to $6.75, but Schultz said the board was considering just a $1 hike.
Schultz says the DRPA needs to fund capital improvements including reinforcing the protective fenders around the Franklin and Whitman after the March 26 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.
“Very simple: Safety, first and foremost. We saw what happened in Baltimore. We want to avoid a Baltimore in Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” he said.
“We have aging infrastructure. These buildings are not young bridges. We want to make sure that they are structurally sound for years to come. There’s a lot of work to be done on the Commodore Barry Bridge in particular.”
Money is also necessary to attract and retain police officers, Shultz said.
“Right now we are down 30 cops, which is effectively one platoon. Of 150 cops, we have 120 currently,” he said.
Schultz says they will be very transparent in this process so the public understands what is happening.
Sources say a vote on a toll hike could come as soon as the board’s August meeting.
Schultz said the DRPA is not currently considering raising PATCO fares.