Maryland Transportation Authority to vote on toll increases

The Maryland Transportation Authority board will vote on a plan to raise tolls statewide.

Transportation officials have said the toll hikes up for a vote on Thursday are needed to pay for repairs and projects such as the Intercounty Connector and Interstate 95 express toll lanes near Baltimore.

Protests to the original proposals prompted officials to reduce the hikes at the Chesapeake Bay and the Gov. Harry W. Nice bridges to $4 for two-axle vehicles starting Nov. 1 and to $6 in July 2013. Currently, motorists pay $2.50 on the Bay bridge and $3 on the Nice bridge.

The board is also expected to vote on a proposal to waive the monthly $1.50 E-ZPass account fee for people who use Maryland toll facilities three or more times per month.