EWING, NJ – Only five days remain for the public to submit comments on the proposed toll schedule for the future Scudder Falls (I-95) Replacement Bridge, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced today.
The Commission initiated a public comment process in early July when it rolled out a proposed schedule of tolls to be charged in the southbound direction only (driving from New Jersey to Pennsylvania) at the new Scudder Falls bridge when its first span opens to traffic in 2019. The public comment period initially was set to expire Monday, August 29. The deadline recently was extended an additional week to Tuesday, September 6, to generate further comments.
In tandem with this review process on the proposed Scudder Falls toll schedule, the Commission also is accepting comment on two separate proposed changes in the agency’s current toll structure for its seven existing toll bridges. (Please see below)
Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge Toll Schedule
Under the proposed toll schedule, tolls at the new bridge would be $1.25 for passenger vehicles with E-ZPass; $2.60 for Toll-by-Plate passenger vehicles without E-ZPass; and 75 cents for commuters who make at least 16 tolled trips per month using a Commission-affiliated E-ZPass tag. Passenger vehicles include automobiles, four-wheel pick-up trucks, and motorcycles. They comprise slightly more than 90 percent of the vehicles using the current, functionally obsolete Scudder Falls Bridge. Higher rates are to be charged for trucks and other non-passenger vehicles, which make up slightly less than 10 percent of traffic using the current bridge.
All tolls at the new bridge are to be collected at highway speeds via an all-electronic toll (AET) collection system of E-ZPass tag readers and high-resolution cameras that will be suspended from an overhead gantry across the bridge’s southbound lanes. Such systems are being used increasingly in other countries and other states. They obviate the need for conventional toll booths that cause traffic congestion and air pollution.
The full schedule of tolls proposed for the Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge may be accessed directly at www.drjtbc.org/scuddertolls. A video explaining the bridge’s all-electronic toll system is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq_8BEokUrw.
Toll Adjustments for Seven Current Toll Bridges
The Commission also is currently accepting comment on two narrowly defined changes in its current toll structure for the agency’s seven existing toll bridges: Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1), New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202), I-78, Easton-Phillipsburg (Route 22), Portland-Columbia, Delaware Water Gap (I-80), and Milford-Montague (Route 206).
Under one of the proposed changes, two-axle vehicles below eight-feet high that have more than four wheels will now be classified as a light truck, making it $6.50 toll.
The second proposed change applies to what the cash rate should be for toll transactions involving a recreational vehicle (RV) with a trailer or vehicle in tow. This proposal would ensure that the toll rate table below is applied regardless of whether payment is made electronically through E-ZPass or manually in cash through a toll attendant.
Under this proposed change, the cash tolls for RVs with trailers or cars in tow generally would range from $12 to $20. In some rare exceptions when RV-trailer configurations exceed more than five rolling axles, the tolls could be between $24 and $28.
Aside from these two adjustments, all other rates and vehicle classifications in the Commission’s current toll schedule (effective 11 p.m., June 30, 2011) are unaffected. For example, the toll on a standard four-wheel pickup truck will remain $1.
The two proposed changes in the current toll structure are expected to take effect by March 2017, after the Commission completes the installation, testing, calibration and activation of a next-generation collections system for manual and electronic toll transactions at the Commission’s seven current toll bridges.
More information on the proposed adjustments for recreational vehicles with cars or trailers in tow and for two-axle vehicles less than eight-feet high with more than four wheels may be accessed at www.drjtbc.org/2016adjustments.
Ways to Submit Comment
The Commission has already held six public hearings on its proposed Scudder Falls Replacement Bridge toll schedule and the proposed toll adjustments for the agency’s seven current toll bridges. The public can still provide comment on the proposed toll actions by any of the following methods:
Email – send to communityaffairs@drjtbc.org
Commission website – go to the “contact us” portal at www.drjtbc.org (direct URL is www.drjtbc.org/comment.
US Mail – address to Director of Community Affairs, DRJTBC Executive Offices, 2492 River Rd., New Hope, PA. 18938.
Individuals seeking to provide comment email, web portal or mail should do so no later than the close of business on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.
