PA Turnpike sets 10th straight toll hike

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The most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.23 to $1.30 for E-ZPass customers and from $1.95 to $2.10 for cash customers. (MONTCO.Today file photo)

A new year means higher tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Motorists will see a 6 percent increase for cash and E-ZPass beginning Sunday.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says the increase, approved by commissioners last July, is needed to meet funding and capital-improvement obligations, writes philly.com.

The Mid-County Interchange in Plymouth Township is the turnpike’s largest and busiest interchange.

This will be the 10th year in a row tolls have increased on the turnpike.

Last year, the turnpike commission instituted a similar 6 percent increase. “That’s why the commission Tuesday voted (last year) to increase tolls for the ninth year in a row, review all construction projects to make sure the agency can afford them and provide close scrutiny on all hirings, according to post-gazette.com.

The commission also says it is legislatively mandated to offer $450 million in supplemental funding to PennDOT each year.

There will be no 2018 increase for E-ZPass or Toll By Plate customers at the Delaware River Bridge westbound cashless tolling point in Bucks County.

This fiscal year about 85 percent of the PTC’s $500 million capital budget is dedicated largely to renewing, rebuilding and expanding the roadway which carried a record 200 million vehicles in the last year. The PTC has thus far reconstructed more than 124 miles of its system, with another 20 miles of roadway now being rebuilt and widened and more than 90 miles currently in planning and design phases.  Through 2022, the PTC will reinvest more than $2.4 billion for widening, improvement and construction of its roads to relieve congestion and provide greater mobility. The PTC does not receive any tax appropriations to operate and maintain its roadway.

The most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.23 to $1.30 for E-ZPass customers and from $1.95 to $2.10 for cash customers. The most common toll for a Class-5 vehicle — a prevalent tractor-trailer class — will increase from $10.17 to 10.78 for E-ZPass and from $14.45 to $15.35 for cash, according to a press release from the turnpike commission. 

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