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Drivers paying cash to cross the Delaware Memorial Bridge will soon see higher tolls, while E-ZPass users initially will be spared from any increase, according to the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority, or DRBA, announced a new cash toll rate for all vehicle classes at the Delaware Memorial Bridge effective April 1, 2025. The increases will be implemented in two phases.
The bi-state governmental agency said the change will affect roughly 21% of bridge users who still pay cash, while drivers who use E-ZPass will see no increase in their rates. In a statement, DRBA Executive Director Thomas J. Cook explained the authority aims to push more drivers toward electronic payment methods.
A push towards cashless payment
Under the plan's first phase, the DRBA will enact a cash toll rate of $6.00 for passenger vehicles and an additional $1 per axle for commercial vehicles.
"Our goal is to increase E-ZPass usage among bridge customers to 90% or higher," Cook said. The move aligns with a broader regional shift toward cashless tolling, as neighboring states already have eliminated cash payments on their toll roads.
Many toll facilities in the region, including those managed by New York toll agencies, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority and the Maryland Transportation Authority, have transitioned to cashless systems. Delaware's newest toll facility, US 301, also opened as a fully cashless operation. The Atlantic City Expressway is expected to follow suit next year.
The DRBA held three public hearings about the planned increases, though attendance was reportedly low.
Toll increases will fund future projects
The toll increase is part of a $550 million, five-year infrastructure improvement plan. The DRBA said funding will support critical safety and operational upgrades to the Delaware Memorial Bridge and surrounding facilities, which are aging and heavily used.
Major projects include:
The second phase of the toll increases, scheduled for no earlier than January 1, 2027, will impact all drivers regardless of payment method.