Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski (D-PA) spoke out against the toll increases
on seven bridges connecting Pennsylvania to New Jersey, according
to published reports.
In a press conference Aug. 22 at Delaware Water Gap, PA, he challenged
Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker to take action against the Delaware
River Joint Toll Bridge Commission's toll increases. Because the
governor appoints commission members from Pennsylvania, Kanjorski
says the governor "can and should intervene before these massive
toll increases can take effect."
In December the commission approved the toll hikes, which include
a 300 percent increase for some trucks. Although the July effective
date was delayed for the installation of the E-ZPass system, the
increases could take effect in November at the earliest.
Once the rate hike goes into effect, per-axle tolls on trucks crossing
the Trenton-Morrisville Bridge will increase (quadruple) from 50
cents to $2.25 for 2002 and 2003. Per-axle costs on the New Hope-Lambertville
(Route 202), I-78, Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22), Portland-Columbia,
Delaware Water Gap and I-80, and Milford-Montague bridges will more
than triple from $1 to $3.25. Cash tolls for cars will double from
50 cents to $1 on four of the bridges and from $1 to $1.25 on the
rest.
The new rates will fund a 10-year, $545 million maintenance plan
for the seven toll bridges and 13 free bridges DRJTBC maintains
and operates.
