Delaware Memorial Bridge to Go Cashless by 2030
The Delaware Memorial Bridge, a vital link between New Castle, Delaware, and Pennsville, New Jersey, is set to eliminate cash toll collection by late 2029 or early 2030. The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) announced the transition as part of a larger $161 million capital improvement plan.
Currently, drivers without E-ZPass are required to pay tolls with cash. Under the new system, those drivers will instead be billed by mail, but at a higher rate, according to the DRBA.
The project involves a $34 million investment to demolish the existing toll plaza and construct a high-speed overhead gantry system. This gantry will electronically collect tolls from E-ZPass users and capture images of license plates for billing purposes for those without the transponder.
The decision to move to all-electronic tolling comes as the current toll collection system is nearing the end of its lifespan. Many of the original components are no longer manufactured, making maintenance and repairs increasingly difficult and costly. The DRBA stated that the tolling industry is broadly shifting away from traditional cash collection methods, citing examples in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as ongoing transitions within New Jersey.
Beyond the tolling system upgrade, the DRBA’s capital improvement plan includes $22.2 million to widen the I-295 North bridge over Route 13. This widening is intended to support necessary maintenance and rehabilitation efforts on the structure, which currently has three lanes of traffic and narrow shoulders.
The authority is also planning for the future of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry fleet, allocating $71 million towards the construction of a new vessel. Approximately $25.7 million of this funding will come from federal grants.
The move to cashless tolling is expected to streamline traffic flow and reduce congestion at the bridge. While the exact amount of the increased rate for drivers billed by mail has not yet been determined, the DRBA previously raised cash tolls in April 2025 in an effort to encourage E-ZPass adoption. Another toll increase is anticipated in 2027 to help fund the overall improvements to the bridge.
