Cape May County Toll Bridges Transition to E-ZPass Only Starting May 10

Beginning May 10, Cape May County's five toll bridges will exclusively accept E-ZPass electronic payments, no longer taking cash or coins.

The Cape May County Bridge Commission announced this move to cashless tolling during a Feb. 20 board meeting. The move had been set to take effect on April 1. It was moved back after Conduent State & Local Solutions, which operates E-ZPass in New Jersey, informed the commission that ongoing projects would require the date change to May 10. 

The commission operates the Ocean City-Longport Bridge, the Townsends Inlet Bridge, the Corson's Inlet Bridge, the Middle Thorofare Bridge, and the Grassy Sound Bridge.  

The transition to cashless tolling seeks to streamline travel, reduce congestion on the roadway, and enhance motorists' safety by eliminating toll booth stops. It's also expected to help the commission save cash.

Kevin Lare, executive director of the bridge commission, told OCNJDaily that the commission is expected to retain between $400,000 and $500,000 by eliminating toll booth worker positions. “They're great staff, but it's a job that's becoming obsolete,” Lare said.

Once the toll booths have transitioned to accepting electronic payments only, motorists who don't have an E-ZPass will have a photo of their license plate taken and a bill sent to them by mail. Lare noted that a service fee of approximately $5 will be assessed for those who pay their tolls without an E-ZPass. However, the fee will only be charged once per month, regardless of how many times drivers pass the toll without making an E-ZPass payment.

Over the past few months, the commission has been using roadside electronic signs to alert the public of the change to E-ZPass only on the bridges. Lare said the commission will increase its communications efforts as the May 10 transition date approaches.

The Cape May Zoo is the ultimate family destination down the shore. It is free fun for all.

The Cape May County Zoo was created in 1978 within the Cape May County Park.

At the opening of the zoo, the animals consisted of an African lion, primates (spider monkeys), various barnyard animals, and New Jersey wildlife animals.

In the early 1980s, the zoo gradually incorporated into its displays more exotic animals, such as black bears, bison, antelope, primates, and birds.

Beginning in 1986, a Cape May Zoo renaissance began. Donations were solicited and there was a major reconstruction. Some of the projects that were completed consisted of a complete perimeter fence, a new lion exhibit, a Bengal tiger exhibit, a cougar exhibit, a giraffe and camel exhibit, a reptile house, and the construction of a medical building and diet preparation building.

Throughout the 1990s, renovations and new exhibits continued, with the construction of an African Savannah, which consisted of 57 acres that display giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and ostriches. Reconstruction of a reptile house replaced the original reptile house that was destroyed by fire in 1998, and a "World of Birds" walk-through Aviary was constructed.

From the zoo's beginning in 1978, the animal population was around 70 animals and today the zoo consists of 550 animals representing 250 species.

Planning on visiting the Zoo? This information will help you plan your trip.

Admission
The Zoo is FREE.
Donations help to keep them FREE!

Parking
Parking for cars is FREE.
Full-size buses are $80.
Short school buses are $40.

Zoo Hours
The current Zoo hours are:
10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
7 days a week - They are open every day!
(Except for Christmas)

A wallaby is more than just a small kangaroo! Both kangaroos and wallabies are marsupials, meaning they carry their young around in a pouch and are similar enough that scientists have placed them in the same order, family, and subfamily. Wallabies are much smaller, though. The wallabies are back in their yard at the zoo! After enlarging their yard, installing a new fence, adding dirt and grass seed, and putting in a new hut (complete with a front porch), the wallaby mob has returned from their temporary yard next door.

This loveable species is the world's largest rodent! Endemic to South America, they inhabit forested and savanna areas near fresh water. They are semi-aquatic and have webbed feet to help them get around!  At the Zoo you'll find Budette, Marigold, Buttercup, Capychino, and Goomba. They are all on exhibit daily, so stop by to say hello.

At the Cape May Zoo you can find Fred and his crew, the Galapagos Tortoises! Fred is 500+ lbs. Galapagos tortoises are the largest living species of tortoise and can weigh up to 919 lb. They have lifespans in the wild of over 100 years. Captive Galapagos tortoises can live up to 177 years!

Reticulated Giraffes call the Cape May County Zoo home. The boys rule at the Zoo. Kifeda was born there on November 11, 2017. They also have Jambazi and Beau who buzz around the yard like lively brothers when the weather's nice.

Their African Lions came to the zoo in November of 2014 from Jacksonville NJ. Our Male Lex and female Bella are siblings born in 2011. Their main keeper enjoys working with them and compares them to big dogs. try sticking around to hear them roar!