Toll hike going into effect on Pa. turnpike

Under the previously approved hike, turnpike drivers will encounter a 3% toll increase.

The new year means new tolls on a major highway running through the Pennsylvania.

Listen:
[audio: 091230tmtolls.mp3]

Turnpike drivers will encounter a 3% toll increase this year. Carl DeFebo is a spokesman for the Turnpike Commission. He says the increases are being spread out instead of a big hike every decade or so.

DeFebo: We announced a year ago that we were going to do annual toll increases in order to help meet our obligation to fund all roads and bridges in Pennsylvania. And so this toll increase is one of those staged increases, one of a number to come.

The increase will cost the average commuter about a nickel for cars and a quarter for commercial vehicles. There is a calculator to find out specific increases at the turnpike’s website.