December 22, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), which is responsible for the operations and maintenance on the U.S. side of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, will raise the tolls for passenger vehicles and initiate an incremental increase for commercial vehicles. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, the new rate for passenger vehicles is $3.00 (raised from $1.50); the new rate for commercial vehicles is $2.50/axle (raised from $1.75), with a further increase to $3.25/axle scheduled for April 1, 2010.
The price of commuter tokens will remain the same. Twenty tokens can be purchased in Canada for $40 and used on either side of the bridge. Commuters who use tokens will experience a 33 percent savings over the new passenger toll rates, depending on the exchange rate at the time of purchase.
The rate increases followed a series of four public meetings held in early December in Lansing, Port Huron and Point Edward, Ontario, when the department heard comments from about 30 organizations and individuals. The majority of comments came from the commercial trucking industry and were related to the proposed implementation schedule for the toll increase. The public hearing comment period ended Dec. 16.
"During the public hearings, and in our conversations with local officials and key stakeholders in the community, there was less concern about the passenger toll increase as long as MDOT was willing to keep the token discount intact," said Michael Szuch, Blue Water Bridge manager. "However, the trucking industry let us know that our original proposal - which was to increase the rate to the full $3.25 per axle - was too steep for their current contracts to handle. We were willing to negotiate the timing of the full increase based on these concerns, but we are obligated to keep the bridge's finances in good standing, so it was critical that we moved forward with the toll increase as soon as possible."
Szuch said the Blue Water Bridge had not increased toll rates since 1997, even though the Canadians have increased their rates during that time. The new increases will bring the U.S. toll rates in alignment with the Blue Water Bridge Canada (in April).
The toll increases are expected to increase revenue by about $8 - 10 million a year and will help pay for upcoming maintenance needs, including bridge painting and redecking needed in the next 10 - 15 years. Some costs associated with the upcoming bridge plaza project will be covered by the proposed increased revenue as well.
For additional information on the Blue Water Bridge and the toll increases, go to the Web site at www.michigan.gov/bluewaterbridge. Public hearing transcripts are available in person at the following locations: Blue Water Bridge Administration Office, 1410 Elmwood St. (entrance on 10th St.), Port Huron, MI 48060; MDOT Transportation Service Center, 2127 11th Ave., Port Huron, MI 48060; Sue Child, City Clerk, 100 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron, MI 48060; Robert Parsons, Public Involvement and Hearings Officer, MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning, 425 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48909.
MDOT says: Remember - in Ice and Snow, Take it Slow!
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