No toll money, no problem: 10 free bridges connecting NJ and PA (Opinion)

Unlike the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, there is actually some relief when it comes to crossing the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

While many of the major bridges you hear about in our traffic reports are toll crossings, there are 10  New Jersey-Pennsylvania bridges that you don't need to pay to cross.

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which is an independent bi-state agency with leaders appointed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey, oversees many of these crossings, and their method is one that is a foreign concept to those in charge in the Garden State. The group uses revenue generated from larger, more heavily trafficked crossings to maintain the free ones.

Let me repeat that: The DRJTB uses part of the lucrative sums of money from the major, heavy volume crossings, so we can cross state lines without having to fork over any unnecessary cash.

It's almost as if the commission actually puts the money they receive via tolls to good use.

Imagine the New Jersey Turnpike Authority announcing that the Garden State Parkway, which they oversee, will get rid of tolls at exits because the main checkpoint toll plazas were making so much money?

You probably can't imagine it because it would never happen. The money New Jersey raises via tolls never seems to find its way to where it was supposedly meant to go: Repairing and maintaining the roads.

I'm sure the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, which was created during Gov. Tom Kean's tenure, has its faults, but I appreciate their efforts in at least making it less obvious that they are constantly trying to reach into our pockets.

Here are the 10 free crossings. Before planning your trip, be sure to note the size and weight restrictions of any particular bridge as many of these are limited to cars.

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 producer, writer, and host Joe Votruba. Any opinions expressed are his own.

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