Toll goes up!
By
Aaron Kopitz

The International Bridge that compliments our campus background is having a toll increase. Public Hearings that were held in November of 2006 for public comment on the toll increase have pushed through and with little objection the new rates were approved February 14, 2007. What does this mean and why are they implementing a new toll? The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Joint International Bridge Authority (JIBA) have decided that to keep the bridge in use and up to code for the public they need to increase the toll to help pay for repairs and any upgrades needed. 

The reason for the toll increase is partly due to maintenance and due to the fact that since 1993 traffic on the International Bridge has dropped to half of what it was. One should keep in mind that the International Bridge is totally financially self-sustaining; mostly from the revenue of the toll it collects. On the maintenance end of the increase, engineers have estimated that within 15 years the concrete deck will need to be replaced and other bridge projects will need to be done like painting and some reconstruction. 

So what does this mean to you? Well if youre a commuter you may have to pay a little more. From $1.50 American and $1.70 Canadian it will increase fifty cents on the American dollar and fifty-five cents for the Canadian dollar. This of course is for a Class #1 vehicle which is any passenger car, truck, van or motorcycle which most commuters use. This new toll fee will be implemented April 1, 2007. Additional information can be found at http://www.michigan.gov/. Happy travels!
