Most Maryland bridge and tunnel tolls to increase

WTOP ^ | October 27, 2011 | Hank Silverberg

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

WASHINGTON -- The cost of traveling is going to increase next week for drivers who use certain local bridges or toll roads.

Maryland is raising tolls on most tunnels and bridges starting Nov. 1, with the exception of the new Intercounty Connector (ICC). The increases will vary. For example, cash rate tolls on the Harry Nice Bridge from Maryland into Virginia will climb from $3 to $4, while the cash rate on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will rise from $2.50 to $4.

The toll increase also comes with a new system for penalizing those who don't pay. Harold Bartlett, executive secretary of Maryland Transportation Authority, says E-ZPass violators will be video tolled and a bill will be sent to their address for 150 percent of the base toll rate -- from $1 to $15, depending on what toll was violated.

And while tolls are not going up on the ICC, the new penalty system will take effect there Nov. 1.

There are a number of discounts for people using E-ZPass on Maryland roads and also for daily commuters.

Here is a look at the basic toll increases:

New two axle toll rates at fixed toll facilities (does not include the Intercounty Connector):

• E-ZPass Maryland discount (commuter) rates:
  • From $.40 to $.75 at the Fort McHenry (I-95) and Baltimore Harbor (I-895) tunnels and the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695);
  • From $.80 to $1.50 (round trip) at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95) and Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40);
  • From $.60 to $1 (round trip) at the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US 301.)
  • The Bay Bridge (US 50/301) commuter rate remains at $1 per round trip until July 1, 2013.

• New E-ZPass Maryland standard plan rates:
  • $2.70 at the Fort McHenry and Harbor tunnels and the Key Bridge;
  • $5.40 at the Kennedy Highway and the Hatem Bridge; and $3.60 at the Bay and Nice bridges.

• Cash toll rates:
  • From $2 to $3 at the Fort McHenry and Harbor tunnels and the Key Bridge;
  • From $5 to $6 at the Kennedy Highway and the Hatem Bridge;
  • From $2.50 to $4 at the Bay Bridge;
  • From $3 to $4 at the Nice Bridge.

For more detailed information about the toll increases, click here.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[coloradan]

Yeah, those increases are consistent with 1% inflation, as we have been told.

[haircutter]

live in Southwestern PA. Maryland line very close by...avoid the state at all cost, have a few relatives that live there and wonder.....WHY?

[SpaceBar]

Government at all levels seems to have taken on the role of a rogue immune system response that protects against the nasty infections of civilization and commerce.

[MrEdd]

Maryland, have I got a tollroad fixing solution for you!

Ya see, we got this governor here and he’s tired of fixing up the roads in our state. He threw his hat into the presidential ring but that is kinda bombing now - so I was thinking we could send him....

[VanShuyten]

The doughnuts the toll keepers eat ARE getting more expensive.

[this_ol_patriot]

Here’s an interesting little table of miles of road per state.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/ohim/hs04/htm/hm10.htm

[Joe Boucher]

Yeah, keep that liberal big gub mint spending there maryland.
I’ll just keep away from your overpriced state.

[fredhead]

You gotta love the Harry Nice bridge. They make you PAY to LEAVE Maryland. Tolls are only southbound. You get in free, and pay to exit. And after being in Maryland for a week, I gladly pay the exit fee to get back to good old Virginia.

[tgusa]

Same as in New Jersey - pay to leave.

[ConorMacNessa]

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[Mouton]

Recently had the displeasure of having to go from the South east up to NJ by car. Had not done that in years. Noticed that some tolls I used to pay with quarters are now multiple dollar bills. Wow. Then I made this connection...tolls were primarily in states that are consistent with having voted dummocrat for many years.

[hal ogen]

And to think the moronic spend-thrift gov in MD (omally) misappropriated over $700,000,000 from the Highway “Trust Fund” to fund “black hole” projects the past few years. Shouldn’t he be in the dock answering for his malfeasance?

[sr4402]

And to think the moronic spend-thrift gov in MD (omally) misappropriated over $700,000,000 from the Highway “Trust Fund” to fund “black hole” projects the past few years. Shouldn’t he be in the dock answering for his malfeasance?

Way to Go, Maryland Democrats. Great way to Suppress your Economy and increase Unemployment.

[Madam Theophilus]

Not only is the state raising toll rates, but tax on gasoline is going up by five cents a gallon, too.

We live in the NE corner of Maryland and it costs us to get into our county (across the Susquehanna bridge - JFK or Hatem) and get out (into Delaware).

[SnuffaBolshevik]

"...but tax on gasoline is going up by five cents a gallon, too."

Five cents a gallon PER YEAR for the next 3 years - 15 cents total.

Don't forget the "flush tax". $30 yearly tax on privately installed and maintained septic systems will go to $90 a year. A tripling of this ridiculous tax!

I can't wait to get out of this leftist hellhole, either.

[Lionheartusa1]

,,,,,,,, in the spirit of 0bama ,,,, 0’malley has racked up a 38 billion dollar debt for Marylanders to pay off . On top of that he chased out the Millionaires and their revenues with a tax directed at them and it must also be made up by the remaining residents . All the while the WELCOME MAT remains out for the illegals to flock here so Md. tax payers can pay their way as well .

I predict:

0’Bama / 0’Malley ticket in 2012

[Gabz]

And don’t forget the recent increase in the tax on alcohol.

[tgusa]

My inlaws are from MA - I make the drive (from VA) at least twice a year. EZPass makes it less painful and saves me at least an hour - but I still hate the drive, especially the Jersey Turnpike and George Washington Bridge.