The Delaware River Port Authority is expected to soon vote on a toll increase that would be the first hike since 2011, writes Michael Tanenbaum for PhillyVoice.

If approved, tolls to cross the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Betsy Ross, and Commodore Barry bridges would each rise from $5 to $6.

James Schultz, DRPA board chair, said revenue is needed to help fund improvement projects that will aim to ensure the safety of the bridges. The effort became even more paramount after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore back in March.

“We have aging infrastructure. These buildings are not young bridges. We want to make sure that they are structurally sound for years to come,” Schultz told KYW Newsradio. “There’s a lot of work to be done on the Commodore Barry Bridge in particular.”

The planned repairs and infrastructure upgrades include adding automated license plate readers to aid police investigations and counterterrorism efforts. The DRPA’s budget also includes projects to upgrade bridge toll technology and fare collection on PATCO.

Schultz also said the toll increase will be used to retain and hire new DRPA police officers.

A vote on the potential toll increase is expected to take place by its August board meeting.

Read more about the potential toll price increase in PhillyVoice.

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