Tolls on the bridges over the Delaware River, including the two in the Lehigh Valley, could go up next year.
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is proposing toll adjustments to offset rising costs, which would affect the tolls on Route 22 and Interstate 78 in the Lehigh Valley.
Under the proposal, tolls for Class 1 passenger vehicles would rise 50 cents to $2 for E-ZPass, while the toll-by-plate price would increase by $2 to $5, according to a DRJTBC news release.
The per-axle E-ZPass rate for vehicles at least 8 feet tall would increase $2 to a $6.50-per-axle rate. The toll-by-plate price would increase $3 to an $8-per-axle rate, the release states.
Toll-by-plate prices are higher because it is a method that requires higher costs, according to the commission. Cash collections at the high-volume bridges stopped this year. Tolls are collected in the Pennsylvania-bound direction.
The commission is only funded by the tolls at its eight toll bridges, and uses a portion of its tolls to operate and maintain 10 nonhighway bridges and two pedestrian crossings, according to the release.
If the adjustments are approved, the toll rates for passenger vehicles would still be lower or competitive with other toll agencies on the river, the commission said.
The commission will hold three virtual hearings where public comment can be heard before commissioners take action on the adjustments. Comments may also be sent through the mail or the commission website.
