PA Turnpike Commission Raises Tolls For 14th Consecutive Year

HARRISBURG, PA. — Prepare once again to pay more to drive on one of the nation's oldest toll roads. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has approved a 5 percent toll increase for both E-ZPass and toll by plate customers. The increase goes into effect on Jan. 2 and will be effective across the entire road except the Southern Beltway west of Pittsburgh.

The increase means the most common toll for a passenger vehicle next year will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for toll by plate customers. The cashless toll for a passenger vehicle at the westbound Delaware River Bridge will increase from $6.10 to $6.50 for E-ZPass customers and from $8.20 to $8.70 for toll by plate motorists.

The turnpike commission now has approved toll hikes for 14th consecutive year. Commission officicials contend the annual increases are necessary for the agency to make its annual $450 million payment to PennDOT required under state law.

Turnpike Commission CEO Mark Compton said the toll hike for 2022 is the first time in six years the increase has been kept under 6 percent. He also noted that the annual payment to PennDOT will drop to $50 million next year. The other $400 million will be provided by the state's motor vehicle and use tax.

"Finally, we are seeing a light at the end of this very long tunnel," Compton said. "In addition to breathing a huge sigh of relief ourselves, it enables us to begin to offer some relief to customers from those heftier toll increases and refocus on essential improvements to our roadway.”

Don't think the commission's reduced PennDOT payments will mean an end to turnpike toll increases. To pay back the money it has borrowed to make the $450 million yearly payments, the commission is planning annual toll increases of 5 percent through 2025, 4 percent in 2026, 3.5 percent in 2027 and then 3 percent annually from 2028 to 2050.

The increase means the most common toll for a passenger vehicle next year will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for toll by plate customers. The cashless toll for a passenger vehicle at the westbound Delaware River Bridge will increase from $6.10 to $6.50 for E-ZPass customers and from $8.20 to $8.70 for toll by plate motorists.

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