State/County - Bensalem Township

Turnpike Commission: 5 Percent Toll Increases Comin in 2025

Published

1 year ago

September 11, 2024

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In January of next year, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) will increase tolls by 5%.

As a result of ongoing debt repayment, the resulting debt service, as well Act 44 financial plan, a 5% toll increase was approved this past July by commissioners. Rates on the PA Turnpike will remain mid-range compared to the national average. Officials at PTC say that a straight 5% increase won’t be felt by all customers in 2025 due to other changes approved to modernize rates.

“As Commissioners, this is the most challenging vote we make each year, as required to continue the repayment of Act 44 and 89 obligations,” said Commissioner Sean Logan. “We work every day to ensure our customers receive value for their tolls, including 24-hour roadside assistance, a dedicated maintenance force to keep the roadway clear of debris, trash and snow, and a reconstruction program aimed to decrease congestion and increase rideability and safety.”

About 84% of E-ZPass and 74% of Toll By Plate (TBP) trips will see a toll cut or an increase of under $1 in 2025 and about 70% of commercial vehicles will see an increase of $5 or less. The standardization of rates and the move to Automatic Vehicle Classification (AVC) will not result in additional revenues for the Turnpike beyond the 5% increase approved for 2025. The change in vehicle classification will have a limited impact on non-commercial customers; most widely impacting commercial customers who primarily travel the PA Turnpike empty, said turnpike officials.

Open Road Tolling (ORT) is the culmination of a decade-long effort to modernize the 560+ miles of PA Turnpike. ORT charges tolls electronically as customers drive at highway speeds beneath overhead structures, called gantries, without slowing down or stopping. The commission said the gantry and roadway equipment classifies and identifies vehicles and electronically processes tolls, resulting in free-flowing traffic: reducing accidents, improving the environment, and allowing new access points.

The ORT will launch on the mainline PA Turnpike east of Reading along with the Northeast Extension in 2025, and statewide in 2027. Until gantries are operational, tolls will still be charged as interchange-to-interchange trips, but based on the new rate structure, according to turnpike officials.

Related Topics:Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Increases in 2025

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

‘A Tribute to the Tenors’ Salutes More than a Dozen Singers

Published

8 hours ago

March 7, 2026

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Credit: BCCC

Bucks Live! – the series of cultural events at Bucks County Community College (BCCC) that brings world-renowned entertainment to Newtown – proudly presents “A Tribute to the Tenors” with John D. Smitherman.

Smitherman, one of the original Three American Tenors, showcases his incredible vocal range, commanding stage presence, and heartfelt storytelling. With a voice equally at home in operatic arias and popular classics, Smitherman takes audiences on a musical journey celebrating the greatest tenor voices of all time.

The concert will be in the intimate Zlock Performing Arts Center, located on the BCCC’s main campus at 275 Swamp Rd. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13. .The Zlock Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks starting 90 minutes before curtain and during intermission.

Smitherman pays homage to more than a dozen songsmiths, varying in style, including such iconic artists as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Tom Jones, Mario Lanza, Andy Williams, Luciano Pavarotti, and others. The show features many favorites, including “You Raise Me Up,” “It’s Impossible,” “Magic Moments,” “Time to Say Goodbye,” and many more.

Reserved seating tickets are only $25, and free for BCCC students with current student ID.

Click here to reserve tickets.

Click here for directions and a campus map..

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Pothole Repair Continues Next Week in Bucks County

Published

1 day ago

March 6, 2026

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PennDOT announced maintenance crews will be working next week to repair deteriorated pavement on state roadways in Bucks County.

Drivers are advised that periodic daytime lane closures and possible slowdowns will occur next week at the followinn g locations:

Route 413 (Veterans Highway/Durham Road), Bristol and Buckingham townships
Durham Road, Middletown Township
State Road, Bensalem Township
Route 611 (Easton Road), Tinicum Township
Route 663 (John Fries Highway), Quakertown Borough and Milford Township
Almshouse Road, Doylestown and Warwick townships

Other Main Roadways:

I-76
I-95
U.S. 1
Route 63 (Woodhaven Road)

Drivers are reminded to slow down in work zones and refrain from distracted driving to keep themselves and our workers safe.

Since January 1, PennDOT District 6 has received more than 2,900 customer concerns regarding potholes and has used more than 740 tons of asphalt across the five-county Philadelphia region.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believed to be in Lower Bucks Area

Published

2 days ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown Borough Police are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing 17 year-old .

Ryan Jaatar Age 17 is 5ft 8in Brown eyes and has not been seen since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators, is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.