DRJTB’s Delaware River bridge tolls likely to rise in 2026

💲Public hearings must first be held by DRJTB

💲Tolls would go up significantly for Toll by Plate users

💲The hike would be the DRJTB's first since Jan. 2024

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is gearing up to raise tolls on its crossings in 2026.

If the plan is approved the toll for Class 1 passenger vehicles using E-Z Pass would face an increase of 50 cents to $2. The Toll By Plate rate would be hiked from $2 to $5. The DRJTBC no longer collects tolls at booths. Tolls were last increased on DRJTBC crossings in Jan. 2024.

Construction costs and financial stability are the main reasons for what the DRJTBC calls "adjustments," according to DRJTBC Executive Director Joseph J. Resta.

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Why do tolls need to be 'adjusted?'

The agency approved a Financial Resilience Policy during the 2020 COVID pandemic commiting it to maintaining an A-grade bond rating. This allows the DRJTBC to borrow funds at a better rate in order to complete capital projects large and small. Some of the DRJTBC's eight toll bridges and 12 non-revenue-generating “toll-supported” bridges are date back to the late 19th century and are in need of immediate repair.

The other issue behind the increase is the cost of materials.

“In the past five years, hot-mix asphalt has risen 28 percent, concrete has risen 46 percent, structural steel has risen 66 percent, and fuel has risen 44 percent,” Resta said in a statement. “We still have supply chain issues delaying projects and increasing project costs despite the end of the pandemic.”

The DRJTBC's board of commissioners approved the public hearing process to get underway with staff authorized to set three dates that will include a virtual component. The commission policy also requires comments to be accepted online through the commission website, via U.S. Mail, and through a recorded phone line.

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