Toll Increases To Help Fund Number Of Improvements on Tacony-Palmyra, Burlington Bristol Bridges

Toll increases that were approved for the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol bridges last summer will be used to help fund a $110 million improvement plan for local bridges, the Burlington County Times reports.

The work is highlighted by a $2.4 million rehabilitation project on the system used for bridge openings on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, according to the report. Work is also being done on bridge openings on the Burlington-Bristol and Delanco-Riverside bridges.

The Burlington County Bridge Commission approved this contract for American Bridge Company on Friday, according to the report.

Work will also include painting the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol bridges; the installation of warning gates on both bridges; electrical wiring replacement on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge; and deck replacement on the Burlington-Bristol Bridge, in addition to other work.

Last year’s increase raised toll costs from $2 to $4 for drivers of cars, motorcycles and light trucks who pay with cash, and $1 to $3 for EZ Pass customers.

Bus drivers saw an increase of $1.50, and RV drivers saw an increase of $9.

It was the first increase in 15 years, and was designed to generate $12 million in additional revenue each year to help pay for safety improvements.

In a little over a year since the increase took effect last September, about $17 million in additional revenue has been raised, according to the report.

At the time of the increase, there was both opposition to the proposal, and those who were in favor of it.

Those who opposed to the increases argued it is too much, and that large commercial trucks should be banned from using the Burlington-Bristol Bridge.

Those who were in support of the increases argued that safety trumps cost.