Highway tolls to increase in Delaware

Drivers will pay more to travel on state toll roads when the Delaware Department of Transportation raises prices as part of its revenue plan.

“The toll increase and larger revenue package is needed by the department to fund our infrastructure needs in the years ahead,” said C.R. McLeod, director of community relations for DelDOT.

E-ZPass drivers operating a two-axle vehicle along Route 1 will see rates increase from $1 to $1.50 on weekdays at the Dover and Biddles toll plazas, with those increasing to $4 each on the weekends. Drivers currently pay $3 at each toll plaza for weekend travel.

Cash customers and non-Delaware E-ZPass accounts will pay weekday rates of $2.50 at the toll plazas and $6 on the weekends.

On I-95, the toll will increase to $5 for all two-axle vehicles at both toll plazas.

McLeod said a date for the toll increase has not yet been determined.

During a June 12 legislative session, DelDOT Secretary Shanté Hastings said the increased tolls will bring in $22 million along I-95 and $39 million on Route 1.

DelDOT’s revenue package includes raising Division of Motor Vehicles fees to make up for declining motor fuel tax revenue.

“Due to rising costs – we’ve seen construction and materials price increases from 20% to 50% over past five years – and declining motor fuel tax revenue, the department is increasing tolls and DMV fees for the first time in a decade in order to fund road maintenance and construction that would otherwise be greatly reduced,” McLeod said.