Jul 23, 2008 12:01 am US/Eastern
Drivers Sound Off On Toll Hike Plan
PHILADELPHIA (KYW 1060) ―
The Delaware River Port Authority is taking public comments on its proposal to raise bridge tolls and fares along its high-speed line. The first of two hearings was held Tuesday night in Camden. A second hearing will be held Wednesday evening in Philadelphia.
At Tuesday night's hearing, the agency took a lot of heat for its past spending.
Alice Wood of Cherry Hill was among dozens of commuters who complained that the DRPA should not raise tolls -- even to keep bridges safe -- after it has spent $350 million on economic development projects, such as the Kimmel Center, the Aquarium, and a soccer stadium in Chester.
"It is a shame that you let money go into economic development before you thought of safety."
CEO John Matheussen assured those testifying that toll and fare hikes would be used only for transportation projects.
"None of that money, the proceeds of it, the PATCO fare increase -- none of it will be used for economic development purposes."
Matheussen says the increases are not a done deal and public input will be considered before the board makes a decision, probably in August.
A second hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at the Philadelphia Navy Yard at 6:00 p.m.
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