Construction zone speeders beware
ARTEMIS COUGHLAN, Staff Writer
05/01/2007
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MORRISVILLE, Pa. -- The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission voted yesterday to allow the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state police to double fines for construction zone speeders.

"With the significant amount of construction the commission is undertaking as part of its capital improvement program, it needs to send a message that speeding and aggressive driving will not be tolerated," said Frank McCartney, DRJTBC executive director.

"These increased fines are designed to encourage motorists to slow down and protect our workers, protect our customers and protect the community that host our bridges."

The commission will use radar speed display boards to raise awareness of the potential for being cited.

The boards will be placed on the Route 1 approaches to the bridge and at bridge entrance ramps.

The reduced speed limit in the work area is 35 mph.

The commission also approved a planned adjustment to its rates for trucks with three or more axles, increasing rates by 50 cents per axle.

Two axles trucks and automobiles will not be impacted.

The toll rate revision is consistent with the commission’s 2003 toll plan and is necessary to support the DRJTBC’s ongoing capital improvement program.

The toll adjustment for trucks with three or more axles is necessary to meet the debt service coverage requirements associated with the financing of the next phase of the commission’s capital improvement program.

The toll increase, which was originally projected to go into effect in January, will now take effect May 20.

The new rates are $9.95 for three axles, $13 for four axles, $16.25 for five axles, $19.50 for six axles and $22.75 for seven axles.

"this adjustment to our toll structure is necessary to fund our ongoing capital improvement program geared toward the preservation, protection, management and enhancement of twenty toll and toll-supported bridges crossing the Delaware River," McCartney said.

"Without this toll adjustment we would be unable to move forward with much-needed rehabilitation and other capital initiatives that will help to reduce congestion and improve safety for motorists."


©The Trentonian 2007