NJ Turnpike, Parkway Toll Hikes Set for Jan. 1
Tolls increasing by 50 percent to raise money for state capital projects
Due to a phased plan increase approved by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority more than three years ago, tolls on both the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway will go up in price by 50 percent, beginning at 6:30 a.m. Jan. 1.
Under the new increases, toll rates on the Garden State Parkway will increase from $0.35 to $0.50 for ramp tolls, from $0.50 to $0.75 for two-way toll plazas, and from $1 to $1.50 for one-way toll plazas.
It is the third hike in tolls for the Parkway since its opening in 1954, and the seventh for the New Jersey Turnpike since that highway’s inception in 1951. The increases were voted on and approved as the second phase of a two-fold toll hike in October 2008, during the administration of former Gov. Jon Corzine.
Monmouth County residents will see price changes at the Asbury Park toll plaza at Parkway mile marker 104 and at several ramp plazas throughout the county.
For class one vehicles — cars, motorcycles and taxis — the Asbury Park toll plaza will increase from $1 to $1.50, and the ramp plazas at Belmar/Wall, Red Bank, Holmdel, Keyport and Matawan will increase in price from $0.35 to $0.50. The Eatontown ramp plaza will increase from $1 to $1.50.
Turnpike Authority Spokesman Thomas Feeney explained that the toll prices were originally raised to support a decade-long construction projects package totaling $7 billion, including a widening of the Turnpike and the Parkway south of Toms River – in addition to the organization’s $1 billion-plus contribution toward a new rail tunnel to cross the Hudson River.
However, Gov. Chris Christie ordered the rail tunnel project ceased in 2010, claiming that the construction was certain to go over budget, and then redirected the over one billion dollars in revenues to other state transportation projects.
Bob English
8:09 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
Since the tunnel project was canceled, how about canceling the part of the toll increase that was going to be used for that purpose?? Better yet, raise the gas tax by a few cents (in lieu of a toll increase) so all NJ drivers contribute a little bit rather than just those that happen to live near the toll roads footing the entire bill for what now includes other state transportation projects..
John Teasley
8:44 am on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Too bad Bernie Madoff, I mean Jon Corzine wrote the bond contract pledging the revenue increase without condition of a tunnel being built. I'll bet you thought that was just one of Cork's oversights and not on purpose.
Sal
12:03 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
The costs of doing business in NJ just keep going up regardless if the Governor has a (D) or an (R) after their name nothing changes and NJ residents remain the Highest Taxed in the USA___regardless of Christi's tax cut for the already super wealthy.
Sal
12:05 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
The people in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya had the right idea. When government no longer serves the people___it is time to get rid of the current government and form a new government that truly works for We the People and not just for their own greed..
Sal
12:09 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
Does NJ really need to be spending hundreds of millions of dollars on red brick paved crosswalks?
Judy Riggenbach
9:11 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
Personally i do not think the toll increase that awful. We need work on older bridges and other road work that this extra revenue can be used for . NJ may have a lot of high taxes but compared to other states our toll roads are not high, even with this increase, and they are maintained in good condition. THis state will always be overtaxed as long as on every level we vote in people who want more and more Government involvement and solutions to every problem and more government pensions and add ons for every employee, OUR BAD!
Mike
11:01 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
This toll hike is another example of our government taking the easy way out by increasing revenue instead of looking for ways to cut waste and abuse within the Port Authority and State government. These tolls are outrageously high and an extreme burden on families and business in this State. If you are opposed to the toll increase, I suggest writing an e-mail or letter to Governor Christie as well as your State and local representatives. Also, talk to all of your friends and family and convince them to not take this toll increase quietly.
Paul Draper
11:24 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
What's wrong with this is what's wrong with the country, They're robbing us and the electorate is apothetic!
Jon
2:32 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
The most likely place to have an acident on a toll road is at a toll collection site.
Tolls are the least efficient way of collecting revenue. Logic dictates that the TOLLS and the bloated aministration that is is respnsible for collecting them be ELIMINATED! With a small increase in the fuel tax and prudent fiscal management all NJ people would be better and more fairly served. Oh and the old argument that "I do not use the toll roads so why should I pay for them" is empty. I do not use a lot of state roads yet my taxes still go towards their operation.
BP
5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Another example of liberal Democrat union thugs/state workers and their corrupt liberal Democrat ex-Gov. Corzine (his law) stealing from hard working Jersey citizens