Once again, the tolls for using the PA turnpike are going up.
Those using the turnpike can expect to see a 5% increase in tolls for both E-Z Pass and Toll-By-Plate customers using most of the turnpike. The only area where the toll increase will not be in effect will be the southern beltway west of Pittsburgh. The toll increase went into effect over the weekend.
While tolls have increased every year for the past few years, this marks the first time in six years that the increase has been below 6%. Turnpike officials say that the increases are necessary to meet escalating debt-service costs coming from the turnpike commission’s required payments to the state to fund off-turnpike transportation needs through Acts 44 and 89 of 2007. The acts require the commission to pay PennDOT $450 million a year for highways, bridges and public transportation. Act 89 modified the payments and dedicated the full amount to public transit.
The commission’s requirement will be reduced to $50 million later this year.
