Tolls to resume at Dingmans Bridge on June 12

Toll collectors at the historic Dingmans Bridge, which has provided safe and dependable crossing across the Delaware River since 1900, will be back at work starting 4 p.m. on Friday, June 12.

Toll collectors will be wearing masks, and will have hand sanitizer nearby. Customers are encouraged to have the exact toll to lessen the chance of coronavirus transmission by making change. The bridge operators also ask customers to slip on their masks as they pull up to the toll collection area, to protect the toll collectors that will be on the frontline of this historic business.

There will be no more dog biscuits given out, to protect both the employees and the customers from additional interaction. Pet owners may want to bring their own biscuits along, so that their dogs still get a treat as they cross.

The 15 mph speed limit will be strictly enforced, for the safety of all. The weight limit is four tons, and the height limit is 11 feet.

The bridge ceased collecting tolls on March 13, as the threat of COVID-19 became a reality. June 12 will mark three months without toll income, surely a record in the bridge’s 120-year history. Cars have been allowed to cross free of charge during this time, which greatly helped people who were struggling with their own loss of income.

However, without toll collectors on duty, bridge management says the speed of vehicles increased and put additional wear and tear on the wooden decking.

Management has decided to close to traffic during the two weeks of annual bridge inspection, from June 1 to 12, to replace sections of the deck that have deteriorated.

“We are all eager to get back to work serving our customers, and know we can count on them to keep our employees safe,” says management.