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Pennsylvania Turnpike Tolls To Increase By 6 Percent In 2016

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Motorists will have to dig a bit deeper in a few days to pay for travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Turnpike tolls will increase by 6 percent in 2016, largely to repay loans taken out to help fund roadwork projects to improve the 75-year-old, 550-mile turnpike under legislation passed in 2007 and 2013.

The higher rates go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 3.

"I think it's ridiculous; they go up every year," says driver Kevin Newcomer.

Tolls have risen every year since 2009.

The 6 percent increase means E-ZPass users will have to pay up to a $1.16 more while cash customers could see an increase as high as a $1.80.

"I don't think the roads are getting any better and I think they go up too much for the service that they give, so I'm a little disappointed because I have to use them quite often," said driver Kevin Patton.

Some drivers say tolls in Pennsylvania are already higher than Ohio, now they are going up even more.

"I know we spend about $12 in Ohio, and it's about $15 more, so it's around $30 to get through Pennsylvania," said driver John Halkiabakis.

The commission expects to impose annual fare increases of 3 percent to 6 percent until 2044.

The Turnpike says E-ZPass customers now account for three-quarters of its traffic. E-ZPass motorists pay lower tolls.

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(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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