Md. Defends Rte. 301 Bridge Tolls; Increased Receipts Fund 20-Year Plan
State transit officials say many Charles County residents have complained about a plan to double the tolls for some motorists using the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge, but they still defended their decision this week before the county commissioners.</br></br>On Nov. 1, the toll for a regular two-axle vehicle will jump from $1.50 to $3 when crossing the Potomac River from Charles County on Route 301. The rate for each additional axle will also increase from $1.50 to $3. Commuters will still be able to buy a $15 pass that allows 25 trips through the gates and is valid for 60 days.</br></br>Tom Osborne, executive secretary of the Maryland Transportation Authority, said the increases are necessary to help fund $4.7 billion in capital improvements included in the authority's 20-year plan.</br></br>Because the state first decided to increase tolls on Interstate 95 in Baltimore, Osborne said increasing tolls on Route 301 became a necessary byproduct.</br></br>"We felt that we had to address Route 301 or else it could become a bypass corridor for all those seeking to avoid the tolls," Osborne said.