Commuters Protest Proposed Delaware Bridge Toll Hikes

Commuters at a public hearing Tuesday protested proposed toll hikes for the Delaware River bridge, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday.

Under the proposal, tolls for trucks would climb in September to $6 per axle, from the current $4.50 per axle, then jumping to $7.50 in 2010, with inflation adjusters thereafter.

Bridge tolls for cars are set to rise to $4 from the current $3 on Sept. 14, the Inquirer said.

The toll hikes would have to be approved by the Delaware River Port Authority in August, the paper reported.

DRPA officials said the toll hikes are needed to pay for about $1 billion in repairs over the next five years and to improve its four bridges and a fleet of railcars.

Staff Reporter Amy McMahon contributed to this story.