Proposed Toll Schedule Announced For Scudder Falls Bridge

Tolls to cross the Scudder Falls Bridge on I-95 would be as much as $2.60 under a new proposal released this week by the the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. The toll schedule is projected to take effect in 2019, when the first span of the new bridge is expected to open.

The bridge connects Mercer County, N.J. to Bucks County, PA via I-95.

If approved in late September by the Commission's board of directors after a series of public hearings, tolls would be:

• $1.25 for passenger vehicles with E-ZPass
• $2.60 for Toll-by-Plate passenger vehicles without E-ZPass
• $0.75 cents for commuters who make at least 16 tolled trips per month using a Commission-affiliated E-ZPass tag.

Tolls will be charged to southbound drivers via an all-electronic toll (AET) collection system of E-ZPass tag readers and high-resolution cameras.

"The Commission directed staff to tamp down the toll rates for this new bridge as much as possible," said Joseph J. Resta, the Commission's executive director. "The $1.25 base E-ZPass toll and 75-cent E-ZPass commuter-discount toll are in keeping with this goal, especially given the scope and complexity of the upcoming bridge replacement project."

Six public hearings will be held for the public to weigh in on the proposed toll schedule. The Commission will also host open houses regarding the Scudder Falls Bridge Replacement Project immediately before the two toll hearings.

Here is the full schedule:

• July 19, 2016, West Trenton Volunteer Fire House, 40 Upper Ferry Rd., West Trenton. Informational project open house 4:30 p.m.; toll hearing 6 p.m.
• July 21, 2016, William Penn Middle School, 1524 Derbyshire Rd., Yardley. Informational project open house 4:30 p.m.; toll hearing 6 p.m.
• Aug. 2, 2016, Holiday Inn Express, 90 Kunkle Dr., Easton. Toll hearing 6 p.m.
• Aug. 4, 2016, Early Childhood Learning Center, 459 Center St., Phillipsburg. Toll hearing 6 p.m.
• Aug. 9, 2016, High Point Golf Club, 342 Shore Dr., Montague. Toll hearing 6 p.m.
• Aug. 11, 2016 East Stroudsburg University Innovation Center, 562 Independence Rd., East Stroudsburg. Toll hearing 6 p.m.

The public also may provide comment on the proposed toll changes by emailing communityaffairs@drjtbc.org, contacting www.drjtbc.org/comment or mailing a letter to Director of Community Affairs Jodee Inscho, DRJTBC Executive Offices, 2492 River Rd., New Hope, PA. 18938.

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