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Higher N.J. Tolls Pitched to Pay for Turnpike, Parkway Projects

Higher N.J. Tolls Pitched to Pay for Turnpike, Parkway Projects

(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey is pushing for higher passenger-vehicle tolls this year -- and regular increases in the future -- to pay for improvements to its Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

The proposal would increase average charges on the Turnpike by a maximum $1.25, and on the Parkway by 30 cents at most, according to a notice of three public hearings to start March 18. Beginning in 2022, tolls “are proposed to be indexed at an amount to be determined, but in no case more than 3% annually,” according to the notice.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority, which operates both highways, didn’t disclose the average charges. Passenger vehicles pay as much as $13.85 to travel the Turnpike’s 117-mile length and $8.25 for the Parkway’s 172 miles.

The higher charges would pay for 29 projects, including completing interchanges, widening and adding electronic-only tolling, according to the notice. Tolls last increased in 2012.

To contact the reporter on this story: Elise Young in Trenton at eyoung30@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Flynn McRoberts at fmcroberts1@bloomberg.net

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