New Jersey governor vetoes toll hike for Delaware Memorial Bridge

920
Advertisement

A toll hike on the Delaware  Memorial Bridge  appears to be  in doubt after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy  vetoed the recommendation of the commissioners of the Delaware River and Bay Authority.

NJ.com reported the veto   of the minutes of DRBA commissioners. That amounts to a veto of the vote of the toll increase. The toll for the bridge had been expected to rise from $4  to $5 for light vehicles. 

The Delaware River and Bay Authority spokesman James Salmon said a statement will be released on Thursday. 

Murphy reportedly said proceeds from the toll hike would go beyond funding safety improvements for the bridge.

The DRBA had claimed the toll hike was needed to pay for $400 million in improvements needed to maintain the aging twin spans over the Delaware River. 

Advertisement

NJ.com said the veto was believed to be tied to tensions between the governor and State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, who has ties to DRBA board members. Both Sweeney and Murphy are Democrats. Sweeney represents a portion of southern New Jersey.

The River and Bay Authority is a two-state commission comprised of New Jersey and Delaware representatives.

Delaware Gov. John Carney had already signed off on the toll increase.

Advertisement
Advertisement