Delaware Memorial Bridge toll could rise $1 on March 1

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to include an accurate estimate of how much more drivers will pay in tolls each year. 

Delaware Memorial Bridge tolls could rise $1 to a total of up to $5 starting March 1.

That translates into roughly $260 more in tolls each year for commuters who take the bridge to and from work five days a week and aren't taking advantage of any frequent traveler plans or discount packages. 

The Delaware River and Bay Authority will be holding public hearings in Delaware and New Jersey next week to discuss the proposed increase and how the money will be spent. 

Here's everything you need to know before then. 

Why are they raising the toll? 

Jim Salmon, a spokesman for the authority, said the bridge is in need of some serious maintenance, as is the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which DRBA operates.

The improvements are expected to cost more than $440 million over the next five years.

“We are in the fifth year of a 10 year complete overhaul of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which is dictated by its age, condition, operating environment and heavy volume of usage,” said DRBA Executive Director Tom Cook.

“Among the components of this overhaul are a ship collision protection system, suspender rope (vertical cable) replacement, major steelwork repairs, paint removal and recoating and a bridge deck repair.”

Salmon said an incident on Sunday during which a gas leak shut the bridge down for six hours shows how critical the span is to interstate travel. 

The next closest river crossing is the Commodore Barry Bridge to the north, which connects Chester, Pennsylvania and Logan Township, New Jersey.

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What kinds of repairs will be made? 

Salmon said saltwater from the river has taken a toll on the bridge and causes heavy corrosion. 

"In some places, you have 37 layers of paint, and it's not sticking anymore," he said, adding that those surfaces will need to be sandblasted, as the bridge's towers recently were.

The following projects are planned to take place over the next five to 10 years: 

• Bridge paint removal and recoating: $48.2 million
• Suspension rope replacement: $24.5 million
• Bridge steelwork repairs: $40.5 million
• Pin and link rehabilitation: $19.7 million
• Ship collision protection system: $45.2 million
• Bridge deck repair: $21.5 million
• Transfer bridge repairs at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry: $4.3 million
• Ferry repowering program: $9.5 million

When is the last time tolls went up? 

The toll last went up about eight years ago, going from $3 to the current rate of $4. 

Will tolls go back down when the repairs are done? 

That's unlikely. Salmon said in the 27 years he's worked for DRBA, tolls have never decreased. 

The hard truth is the bridge will always need maintenance and DRBA will have to increase rates as necessary to keep the twin spans in shape for travel, Salmon said. 

DRBA does not receive tax dollars to maintain the bridge and neither Delaware nor New Jersey is responsible for the bridge or approaches.

Right now, DRBA doesn't have enough revenue to keep up with repairs. 

When are the public hearings? 

There will be hearings in both New Jersey and Delaware. 

Delaware 

• When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5
• Where: Main floor of the Vincent A. Julia Center, adjacent to the Delaware Memorial Toll Plaza at the conjunction of I-295 and U.S. 9 in New Castle

New Jersey 

• When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6
• Where: Salem Community College Davidow Performing Arts Theatre, Davidow Hall, 460 Hollywood Ave., Carneys Point Township

For more information on tolls on the Delaware Memorial Bridge, visit drba.net. 

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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.