Maryland is taking a page from the Delaware Turnpike playbook as far as ripping people off with an $8 toll. The back roads such as Route 1 will just become more congested with people that are smart enough to avoid the toll.

This is insane- the Tydings and Hatem bridges already had the highest tolls in the state- and to now raise them more when they were raised in the past and others were not, as well as get rid of the decal system on the Hatem that has helped local residents and businesses for years, neither of those bridges are worth a $6 toll let alone $8

May as well make Cecil County part of Delaware at that point - no one will ever cross over the Susquehanna again who lives in the area.

Typical Maryland legislation. Instead of looking for ways to cut spending, they look for ways to increase taxes/revenue. God forbid the hundreds of thousands of inner city welfare recipients see a few dollars trimmed from their taxpayer gifts. Maybe that would make it harder for them to afford their Lexuses. Let's target the middle class commuter who is already feeling heavy pain from these gas prices. Glad I don't live in that disgusting state anymore.

These SOBs in Annapolis just keep sticking it to us. It doesn't matter how terrible the economy is, they just keep taking more and more. They would never consider making budget cuts or cutting programs. They have to cater to the minions who receive their endless handouts and pull the lever to keep them in office each election.

How about if the government stops taking money from the transportation fund for non transportations uses?

That is the MdTA!

Can't say I like paying more, especially when the rates have been steady for so long. However, unlike the Harbor crossings, this rate is for an 80 mile round trip. It will be more expensive than the PA Turnpike come 2013 (an 80-mile trip costs about $6.25 with E-ZPass or $7.20 with cash), but I-95 is wider and much better maintained than the Turnpike.

yes, everyone blame Annapolis for this - it was the TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY that made these recommendations, not anyone in Annapolis, they are DIFFERENT agencies, the authority is widely left separate from the remainder of the State Government to keep politicians out of being able to set toll rates artificially high or low - no toll money goes into the state general fund or the transportation trust fund, it goes into the authority's operating fund. I'm not suggesting i'm happy about this - but point the fingers in the right direction!