A judge has ordered a temporary halt to Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to toll the Girard Point Bridge and eight other interstate bridges in Pennsylvania, writes Marc Levy for NBC 10.

Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler ordered the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to stop all studies, right-of-way acquisitions, construction, contract work, hearings, meetings, or spending regarding the use of tolls to pay for work at the nine bridges.  

In March, Cumberland County and seven municipalities filed a lawsuit challenging the proposed tolls as illegal and unconstitutional.

Wolf says the tolls are needed to make up for declining gas tax revenue to fix highways and bridges.

PennDOT has named nine bridges on six interstates, including Girard Point, that need upgrades and suggested tolls to raise cash for the upgrades.

But some communities and Republican lawmakers say the tolls will be expensive for locals and businesses and create congestion. It also comes at a time of rising gas prices.

The use of tolls to pay for bridge repairs does not have the support of either gubernatorial candidate, Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano or Democratic nominee Josh Shapiro.

PennDOT is reviewing whether to appeal the judge’s temporary injunction.

Read more at NBC 10 about tolls for Girard Point and eight other interstate bridges.