The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has approved a 6% toll increase for all customers effective Jan. 3, 2016.

The increase in tolls is needed to repay substantial borrowing that was required to meet the PTC’s financial obligations under state laws signed in 2007 and 2013, according to PTC chairman Sean Logan. Legislation in 2007 required the PTC to make payments to PennDOT for roadway projects and mass transit operations statewide.

The toll increases will also be used to support an overhaul of the 550-mile Pennsylvania Turnpike system which requires reconstruction and widening. About 450 miles of the Turnpike must be rebuilt from the ground up and widened from four to six lanes.

“We are confident that we can continue to moderate future increases through improved efficiencies, however we have no choice but to increase tolls as we move forward,” said Logan. “At the moment, traffic and revenue forecasts estimate annual increases of three to six percent will be required until 2044.”