The New Jersey Turnpike Authority approved a $2.7 billion budget for 2025 on Tuesday, which includes a 3% toll hike for both the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. This marks the fourth 3% increase since 2020.
The approval came despite calls from the National Motorists Association and other critics urging Governor Phil Murphy to veto the budget.
Since 2020, the Turnpike Authority has implemented annual 3% toll increases through a process called indexing, which allows for automatic hikes. These increases have led to a cumulative 45% toll hike on the Turnpike and 36% on the Parkway. Carrellas noted that at this rate, tolls on the Turnpike will double by 2034 and on the Parkway by 2036.
For the average commuter, the toll increase translates to an additional $80 annually for those who use the Turnpike for daily commutes.
Governor Murphy previously vetoed a similar toll hike in 2023, stating he required more justification. His temporary veto came amid significant political pressure, with Democratic lawmakers joining Republican critics to oppose the increase. At the time, Murphy described the veto as a “time out” to analyze data, though the toll increase was later reinstated.
The 2025 budget, which represents a 3.7% increase from the previous year, also includes rising costs for health insurance, benefits, and law enforcement, along with funding for ongoing infrastructure projects. Turnpike Authority officials did not discuss the toll indexing process during Tuesday’s meeting, which ended with a unanimous 6-0 vote in favor of the budget.