The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced on July 28, 2025 that it will consider a system-wide toll adjustment for implementation on a yet-to-be-determined date in early 2026. A 30-day public comment period started Sept. 18. The proposed rate changes — if approved — would offset rising construction-industry costs, help maintain the Commission’s strong financial metrics, and fund new transportation-infrastructure improvement projects.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROPOSED NEW TOLL RATES FOR 2026
Click Here to Watch DRJTBC Executive Director Joe Resta's Toll Hearings Presentation

Process

1

The Commission announces at July 28 meeting — and through the issuance of a press release — that it is considering a proposed toll adjustment(s) to take effect on a yet-to-be-determined date in 2026. The release explains the proposed rate changes for Class 1 (passenger) vehicles and for the per-axle rates that would be applied for Class 2 vehicles and above. A formal 30-day public comment period was announced on Sept. 18. It is scheduled to end 4 p.m. (close of business) Oct. 17. Three virtual toll hearings also will be held as part of this comment process.  The proposed toll adjustment schedules and this webpage explaining the toll setting/comment process are published on this website for public viewing.  Comment submissions may be submitted through a form available on this webpage (see button above).

2

10 days after initial publication of a public notice in designated news outlets serving the Commission’s Pennsylvania-New Jersey service jurisdiction, three remote/virtual public hearings will be conducted on two different dates.  Comments at a public hearing are limited to three minutes per person.  (People must pre-register with their full name and municipality/state of residence to provide comment at one virtual hearing.)  Public comment also can be submitted via a button-activated form on this webpage (see above) or the proposed toll rates webpage www.drjtbc.org/proposednewtolls. Comments can also be submitted via U.S. Mail and e-mail message sent to tollcomments@drjtbc.org.  In all instances, people wishing to be made part the official public record must include their first and last names, municipality and state of residents, and a respective email address and/or phone number (for verification purposes only).

3

All eligible comments and hearing testimony will be gathered and reviewed by Commission staff. This record will be compiled into a report with accompanying staff responses and a summation of the collected public comments/testimony. Upon completion, this report and summary will be provided to DRJTBC Commissioners before deciding whether to approve, modify/approve, or reject the proposed toll adjustment(s).

4

Under the Commission’s toll-adjustment comment/hearing policy (revised Sept. 22, 2025 under resolution FIN-01-09-25) the public also may provide comments during the monthly virtual meeting at which Commissioners decide to take action on the proposed toll adjustment(s). Note: This has been a long-standing Commission practice.

Key Dates

July 28

Executive Director Joseph J. Resta announces during his report at the Commission’s July meeting that without enhanced revenue the agency’s Debt Service Coverage Ratio and General Reserve Fund Balance is expected to fall below the minimums cited in the Commission’s Financial Resilience Policy. Resta explained that capital program construction costs have increased approximately 35 percent during the past five years, with future annual escalation of approximately four percent being placed on projects yet to be initiated. Commissioners unaminously pass a resolution during the meeting authorizing a process to assess the need for a prospective toll adjustment. A  press release announcing the proposed toll adjustment and prospective rate changes is posted and distributed, generating news coverage throughout the Commission’s service jurisdiction.

August 7

Commission publishes on its website the full proposed toll rate changes to take effect on a yet-to-be-determined date in 2026:  https://www.drjtbc.org/proposednewtolls

September 18

The Commission opens a 30-day comment period on the proposed toll adjustment. The comment process is announced through the issuance of a press release and website and Facebook page posts.

September 22

Commissioners approve a resolution authorizing three remote hearings (also called virtual hearings) be held as part of the public comment process for the proposed 2026 toll rate changes and for any subsequent toll adjustments. A press release announcing the virtual hearing dates and times is issued. The release states that the hearings will be conducted through the Zoom video conferencing platform and teleconferencing.

September 26

In accordance with Commission policy, a Public Notice about the three remote toll hearings is published in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania news outlets that advertise monthly Commission meetings. The notice also is posted on the Commission website. The 2026 Toll Adjustments Comments Process webpage explaining the comment/hearing process and other information related to the proposed toll adjustments also is made available on the Commission website — www.drjtbc.org. In addition to the hearings, the Public Notice and the webpage note how individuals can provide comment through an online form, by email, and via U.S. Mail until the comment period closes 4 p.m. October 17.

October 1

Commission opens pre-registration for the toll hearings. Pre-registration closes  4 p.m. EDT Oct. 6.  Registration for hearings extended to one hour before each respective hearing on Oct. 7 and 9.

October 7

The first two virtual toll hearings take place via the Zoom online conferencing platform and teleconferencing connection. First at 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Second at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

October 9

The third virtual hearing on the proposed toll adjustments takes place via the Zoom video conferencing platform and teleconferencing connection at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

October 17 REVISED – October 24

The public comment period on the proposed toll adjustments for 2026 closes at 4 p.m.

November 24

DRJTBC’s 10-member Board of Commissioners considers the toll adjustment, the compiled public comments, and makes a decision. Commissioners may adopt the proposed toll adjustment, adopt it with modifications, or reject it. The public may provide comment – 3-minute time limit per individual – during the appointed time for public comment on agenda items.

January 1, 2026

If approved by Commissioners, any authorized toll schedule changes would take effect on or after this date — specific date to be announced by the Commission once determined.

Public Comment

Remote/virtual hearings with teleconferencing connections were utilized for this toll adjustment process. Hearings were conducted via Zoom with livestream availability and teleconferencing.

Under Commission policy, additional methods are available for the public to provide comment:

  • Online through the toll comment form that can be accessed on this webpage and the proposed toll rates webpage.
  • US Mail:  address the submission to Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho, DRJTBC Administration Building, 1199 Woodside Road, Yardley, PA. 19067. (Mailed comments must be postmarked by October 17 to be part of the official record. Extended – Mailed comments must be postmarked by October 24 to be part of the officials record.)
  • E-mail: Individuals providing first and last names, municipality of residence, and state of residence can send comments for inclusion in the official record to tollcomments@drjtbc.org. (E-mail addresses and phone numbers are requested for confirmation purposes, but will not be included in the official record.)

To be part of the public record, commenters muat provide  — at a minimum — their first and last names  and their municipality/state of residence. Comments received after the deadline will not be accepted.  Anonymous comments are void and will be discarded.

Submitted eligible public comments and Commission staff responses will be compiled  in a report that will be provided to the agency’s Commissioners prior to their anticipated consideration and action (approve, modify and approve, or reject) during their monthly meeting scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on November 24, 2025.

Commissioners meet on a monthly basis at the DRJTBC’s Scudder Falls Administration Building, 1199 Woodside Road, Yardley, PA. 19067.  Remote access to a respective meeting is provided through the Public Access — Commission Meetings webpage.

 

mainbar-all-electronic

Virtual Public Hearings

Three virtual public hearings were held to gather public comment — two on Oct. 7 and one on Oct. 9.  Pre-registration was required, regardless of whether an individual commented online or via teleconferencing.

Virtual Public Hearings – Registration, Dates, Access Link(s), and Teleconferencing

Verbal comments at hearings were limited to three minutes for each speaker.  Each hearing lasted two-hours, consisting of a preliminary presentation by the Commission’s executive director followed by comments from the public. Registration for three-minute time slots was on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Registrants were limited to one hearing only.

All eligible comments submitted during hearings or through the 30-day now-extended 37-day comment process will be compiled into report with accompanying Commission staff responses. The document is then provided to DRJTBC Commission prior to their consideration and action (approve, modify and approve, or reject) on the proposed toll rate changes.

Registration

Online toll-hearing commenters are required to provide their names and town/state of residence and an email address (for confirmation purposes).  Individuals providing comment via teleconferencing must provide their names, town/state of residence, and the last four digits of the phone number they will be using to make comment at a respective hearing.

Anonymous comments will not be accepted.

Zoom Hearing Links

Pre-registration for commenting at a remote/virtual toll hearing is now open. The registration period will closed 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. Registration extended to one hour before each respective hearing.

Individuals seeking to watch and listen to the hearings need not register.

(Don’t have Zoom? Use this link for the Zoom Downloads page — https://zoom.us/download.)

(Don’t have Zoom? Use this link for the Zoom Downloads page — https://zoom.us/download.)

Teleconferencing

Pre-registration for the toll hearings is now open.

Members of the public planning to speak at virtual public hearing should pre-register by 4 p.m. Oct. 6. by one hour before a respective hearing. (Change effective Oct. 6)

Note: Individuals seeking to listen to the hearings via teleconferencing need not register.

Commenters speaking by teleconference must provide their first and last names, their municipality and state of residence, and the last four digits of the phone number they will use to access a respective toll hearing.

  • Tuesday, October 7,  2025 — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    • To register to speak at this hearing via telephone, please call Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho at 267-394-6561. Please leave your first name, last name, municipality of residence, and state of residence and a phone number with area code (for verification purposes; phone numbers will not be part of the official record). Registration ends 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. Registration has been extended to one hour before each respective hearing.
    • Dial-in information:
      Call-in number: 1-309-205-3325
      Access Code: 820 9460 4562#
      or
      Call-in number: 1-312-626-6799
      Access Code: 820 9460 4562#
  • Tuesday, October 7, 2025 — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • To register to speak at this hearing via telephone, please call Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho at 267-394-6561. Please leave your first name, last name, municipality of residence, and state of residence and a phone number with area code (for verification purposes; phone numbers will not be part of the official record). Registration ends 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. Registration has been extended to one hour before each respective hearing.
    • Dial-in information:
      Call-in number: 1-301-715-8592
      Access Code: 885 6401 2944#
      or
      Call-in number: 1-305-224-1968
      Access Code: 885 6401 2944#
  • Thursday, October 9, 2025 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
    • To register to speak at this hearing via telephone, please call Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho at 267-394-6561. Please leave your first name, last name, municipality of residence, and state of residence and a phone number with area code (for verification purposes; phone numbers will not be part of the official record). Registration ends 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. Registration has been extended to the start of the hearing — providing all three-minute time slots have not been filled.
    • Dial-in information:
      Call-in information: 1-301-715-8592
      Access Code: 835 0248 3324#
      or
      Call-in information: 1-305-224-1968
      Access Code:  835 0248 3324#
Click here to see the Public Notice
Click here to see the proposed toll rate changes
Click here to watch DRJTBC Executive Director Joe Resta's Toll Hearings Presentation

More Toll Adjustment Information

Toll_comparisons_personal_vehicles_Class_1_2026_green

Toll Comparisons of Class 1 Passenger Vehicles

Toll_comparison_2-axles_non-Class_1_2026_Orange

Toll Comparisons of Non-Class 1 Two-Axle Trucks (Class 2)

Toll_Comparisons_5-axles_2026_blue

Toll Comparison of Five-Axle Trucks and Combos (Class 5)

authority-to-toll

Authority to Toll

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I’m paying more money at the pump in gasoline taxes. Why is a toll increase being sought?

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission does not receive any funding — gas taxes or otherwise — from its two jurisdictional states (Pennsylvania and New Jersey) or the federal government. Tolls are the solitary revenue source to run the Commission, its bridges and its other regional transportation facilities services.

How soon could these proposed toll rates go into effect?

An implementation date for the proposed toll adjustment schedule for 2026 — if approved — has yet to be determined.  The earliest date would be January 1, 2026.

How can I get E-ZPass to save money on tolls?

The Commission’s E-ZPass backoffice toll processor is the regional New Jersey E-ZPass Customer Service Center, which serves seven toll agencies operating or domiciled in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.  For more E-Pass information and a link to apply online, please click here.

How do Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission car tolls compare to other agencies?

The proposed 2026 E-ZPass rates are lower than any other public toll agency along the Delaware River.  For long-distance freight carriers (18-wheel tractor trailers), the proposed 2026 rates are competitive with that other agencies along the region and in the region.  Please see the rate comparison documents above on this webpage page.  Click here for Class 1 personal vehicles below eight feet high.  Click here for two-axle vehicles eight feet and above in height.  Click here for five-axle vehicles eight feet and above in height.

Why can't I register before Oct. 1 to speak at a virtual toll hearing?

A variety of preparations for the virtual toll hearings still need to be completed.  More information on registering for a virtual hearing wil be posted on this webpage by Oct. 1.  Registrations will be accepted through an online form on this webpage or a special toll-free phone number established for this toll-comment process.  Registrations will be accept from Oct. 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 6.

Why aren't in-person public hearings being used for this proposed toll adjustment process?

There have been advancements in technology allowing for greater public access to connect and communicate through virtual channes. Virtual hearings offer greater convenience, flexibility, and accessibility, allowing attendees and commenters to join remotely. This can reduce travel times and can increase participation by individuals with disabilities and mobility issues. The Commission has a 140-mile-long service jurisdiction, making the logistics of locating/renting hearing sites, providing audio/visual equipment, security, and recording services expensive and time-consuming. Individuals willing to travel still have one opportunity to to speak directly to the Commission. When the DRJTBC Board of Commissioners meets to consider and vote on a resolution approving a proposed toll adjustment schedule for 2026, members of the public may provide comment during that meeting’s appointed time for public comment on agenda items.

Why does the Commission use a portion of its toll proceeds to operate bridges that have no tolls at all?

Under New Jersey and Pennsylvania statutes and a corresponding Compact approved by Congress, the Commission is legally obligated to use a share of its toll proceeds to operate 12 older non-highway bridges that the Commission calls “toll-supported” bridges.  Click here for an expanded explanation of toll supported bridges.

What will the increased tolls be used for?

The toll changes would enable the Commission to offset risng costs for the agency’s capital program, largely consisting of bridge rehabilitations and operational improvements like highway-speed open-road cashless tolling conversions of former cash-collection tolling points.  During the past five years — 2020 to 2025 — construction costs have increased approximately 35 percent. with future annual escalation of approximately 4 percent being place on projects yeat to be initiated. Costs increases include hot-mix asphalt at 28 percent, concrete at 46 percent, structural steel at 66 percent, and fuel at 44 percent. The Commission continues to encounter supply-chain issues delaying capital projects and increasing their costs despite the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffic and revenue projections indicate that without the toll changes, the Commission is at risk of falling below the minimum thresholds for Debt Service Coverage Ration and General Reserve Fund Balance contained in the Commission’s Financial Resilience Policy.

Why must I provide my first name and last name, and my municipality and state of residence to provide comment as part of this toll adjustment process?

To be included in the public record to be presented to the DRJTBC’s Board of Commissioners before taking action on the proposed toll adjustments, its imperative individuals provide their full names and the town and state where they reside.  Anonymous comments will be disregarded and will not be included in the public record.  The identification process is much akin to the letter-to-editor and oped submission requirements of daily newspapers.

Other Documents and Links

Toll Comment Form

The public comment period on the proposed toll adjustment for 2026, which was extended by one week, closed at 4 p.m. on Oct. 24.