Mackinac Bridge Authority board goes with incremental toll adjustments beginning March 1, 2008
Mackinac Bridge Authority board goes with incremental toll adjustments beginning March 1, 2008
December 21, 2007 — At a special meeting held in Detroit on Dec. 21, the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) board decided to adjust tolls incrementally. The decision was based on testimony from public hearings held in three communities in early December.
The following toll rates (per crossing) will go into effect on Saturday, March 1, 2008:
● Auto/passenger vehicle – $3.00; vehicles with trailer $1.50 per axle
● Commuter – $1.60
● Motor home – $3.50 per axle
● Truck – $3.50 per axle
Additionally, the commuter toll will increase 10 cents per year beginning in 2009 through 2014. The passenger vehicle toll will increase to $3.50 in 2010, $4.00 in 2012, and $4.50 in 2014. A passenger vehicle with trailer will be $1.75 per axle in 2010, $2.00 in 2012, and $2.25 in 2014. The motor home toll and truck toll will each increase to $4.50 per axle in 2010, $5.00 in 2012, and $6.00 in 2014.
“We believe this is the best plan possible – balancing the need to continue maintaining the bridge with what we heard from the testimony at the hearings,” said William H. Gnodtke, MBA board chairman. “The new plan is actually a combination of the two proposals developed from the public testimony we received.”
The MBA board unanimously approved the decision after more than an hour of dialogue and review of the public testimony. In 2013, the board will review financial forecast data to determine future action such as a toll increase shown in 2014, modification of tolls, and/or bonding. Toll increases in 2009 and beyond will take effect on January 1 of the appropriate year.
The toll rates at the Mackinac Bridge were last adjusted in 2003. The 50-year old bridge is maintained and operated exclusively with toll revenue.
