The cost for truckers crossing toll bridges operated by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission will more than triple next summer.

According to the Allentown, Pa., Morning Call, commission officials plan to add EZPass technology in July and at the same time raise tolls for the first time since 1989. The higher tolls are needed to pay for a 10-year, $526.5 million plan to make overdue improvements to the bridges and boost security.
Per-axle tolls on trucks crossing the Trenton-Morrisville and Burlington-Bristol bridges will increase from 50 cents to $3.25. Other bridges will see the per-axle costs go from $1 to $3.25. Trucks using EZPass will get a 5 percent discount, with 15 percent discounts for off-peak hours.
Doug Billig, co-owner of Billig Trucking in Allentown, told the paper that he was expecting toll hikes, but it's not fair to raise the tolls for trucks so much more than cars. Cash tolls for cars would double on some bridges and increase only 25 percent on others.
Commission officials told the paper the tolls were increased more for trucks because they cause more wear and tear on the bridges.