COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County Bridge Commission announced plans to double the price for vehicles crossing the five toll bridges it operates, over the course of the next three years.
The commission is proposing a 50-cent fare each year for the next three years, pending a board vote after a public comment period from Dec. 8 through Jan. 8, 2022.
Tolls are currently $1.50 for cars and would be increased to $3 for cars if the proposal is adopted.
Karen Coughlin, executive director of the county’s bridge commission, did not return multiple phone messages from the Herald seeking comment.
According to the proposal, comment forms will be available to the public at all toll booths operated by the Cape May County Bridge Commission and public opinion will also be accepted via email to cmcbridgecommission@gmail.com.
Those wishing to have their opinion heard can also print a form, available here, and mail it to: Cape May County Bridge Commission, 4 Moore Road, DN 3010, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.
The increase would affect:
- The Middle Thorofare Bridge, between Wildwood Crest and Cape May.
- The Grassy Sound Bridge, between North Wildwood and Stone Harbor.
- The Townsend’s Inlet Bridge, between Avalon and Sea Isle City.
- The Corson’s Inlet Bridge, between Strathmere and Ocean City
- The Ocean City Longport Bridge, between Ocean City, Longport and Somers Point.
The board would vote on the proposal at a meeting Jan. 20. The toll increase to the county bridges would be the first since 2009.
Other vehicle classes would also see their rate increased by 50 cents each year for the next three years.
According to the Bridge Commission, it does not have any funding to complete bridge repairs and has to rely on the county. The commission said it would use the additional revenue on mechanical and electrical upgrades, toll facility and ancillary building maintenance and repairs, priority repairs found during inspections, and safety and preventative maintenance projects.
Toll rises will also be affecting drivers on major routes to and from the Jersey Shore. According to an NJ.com report, the Garden State Parkway will see a three percent toll rise on Jan. 1, 2022. The parkway had a 27% toll hike in 2020.
The Delaware River Port Authority did give drivers some good news, announcing Dec. 8 that they will not increase tolls on the Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross bridges, connecting New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
