CREST HAVEN — The Cape May County Bridge Commission is expected to raise tolls on its five Ocean Drive spans for the first time in 20 years.
The last time the rates were increased was in 1988 when the toll was bumped from 40 cents to 50 cents each way.
County Engineer Dale Foster and Executive Director Stephen O’Connor Thursday, Dec. 11 made presentations to commission members detailing the need to raise tolls to pay for maintenance and upkeep on the aging bridges, four of which are over 60 years old.
Foster said all of the bridges — Ocean City-Longport, Corsons Inlet, Townsends Inlet, Grassy Sound and Middle Thorofare — are in a harsh marine environments that require constant inspections and repairs.
“We will continue to keep these bridges safe,” insisted commission Chairman William Henfey.
O’Connor proposed an across-the-board 50 percent increase on all toll fares.
Currently, passenger cars pay a $1 one-way toll on each bridge. That would increase to $1.50 as would the higher fees for larger vehicles.
The price for books of 50 discount tickets would also increase from $40 to $60 or 80 cents to $1.20 per crossing.
O’Connor said the commission should have raised tolls in 2001 when it began operating in a deficit, but opted to run down its fund balance, which was $10.3 million in 1997 and only $2.6 million last year.
According to O’Connor’s forecast, this toll hike will help to bring the commission out of the red as long as no major unexpected repairs are required in the near future. If the commission needs to bond for such repairs, O’Connor said, toll increase discussions might need to be revisited.
The Beesley’s Point Bridge, which the county will take over at the end of the year, was not included in this proposal, because of agreements with the state to keep its budgetary and operations financing separate from the other bridges, O’Connor explained to the Herald.
That bridge is expected to open by 2012 with a one-way $1.50 toll fee, O’Connor said. It was previously 50 cents each way.
The commission will vote on the toll hike proposal at a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. in the commission offices at 153 Crest Haven Road.
Contact Hart at (609) 886-8600 Ext 35 or at: jhart@cmcherald.com
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