#MACPASS COST FREE#

The big change, if it becomes law, is that the Mackinac Bridge couldn't charge a toll anymore and that it would be treated like any other state highway. State Representative James DeSana has introduced House Bill 4869. What we do is try to make very prudent decisions to save as much money as we can, still maintain the bridge, and keep an adequate staff up there,' Gleason said.īut there's an effort underway in Lansing to change all of that. If we did that, you could never come up with a 20-year business plan. Last year, the Bridge Authority says more than 4.2 million cars crossed, paid tolls, and generated $23 million in funds for upkeep.

It's strictly paid for by the tolls on the Mackinac Bridge,' Gleason said. 'We don't receive any state money, we don't receive any federal money. The Mackinac Bridge is perhaps the most unique five miles of pavement in the state, and so is the way its maintenance is funded. 'Making sure that they can maintain that bridge to where motorists can be provided with a safe passage across that bridge, that's a big responsibility,' Gleason said. He also has a very year and very non-emotional obligation to keeping it up and running. Like a lot of us, the Mackinac Bridge holds a special place in the heart of Gleason. 'Look at where the state of Michigan would be right now if it wasn't for the Mackinac Bridge,' said Patrick Gleason, chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority. There is legislation in Lansing though that could change one of those, and it's not the view. STRAITS OF MACKINAC, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) - There are a couple of certainties when you drive across the Mackinac Bridge.įirst, that it's a pretty amazing view second, you are going to have to pay the toll. New legislation would impact Mackinac Bridge tolls if signed into law

I know how well they currently take care of all our other roadways and would rather they just leave the bridge alone.

#MACPASS COST FREE#

But it's also our responsibility to be accountable to the public.'Ī public hearing into the toll increases has not yet been scheduled.Not trying to make this political, just more like a FYIĬurrently there is a bill in Lansing to make the Mackinaw Bridge toll free and have the bridge dependent on MDOT to basically maintain the bridge. 'It's our responsibility to look after and maintain these bridges. 'It's healthy for us as a community to have a discussion, and ask us for answers to the questions,' he said. Snider said he welcomes all public scrutiny the increases may receive. The commission's application submitted to the utility and review board has detailed cost estimates for each of these projects. Those projects include concrete and steel repairs to both bridges, resurfacing and possibly replacing decking on the MacKay bridge, repairing overpasses leading to the bridges, replacing the Macpass scanning system, and a preliminary design for a replacement for the MacKay Bridge. Without the toll increases, he estimates the commission would face a $150-million shortfall due to the costs of long-term repairs. Snider says Halifax Harbour Bridges collects roughly $33 million in tolls in a regular year. This is the first time Halifax Harbour Bridges, a self-funding provincial commission, has asked to raise tolls on the Macdonald and MacKay bridges in a decade.īridge improvements and maintenance are forecast to cost $280 million over the next decade. If approved by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, the increases would take effect in January 2022. 'I don't like paying more for anything, so I can understand people's frustration and challenge,' said Steven Snider, general manager and CEO of Halifax Harbour Bridges.Ĭommercial vehicles would pay an additional 25 per cent per axle for both cash and Macpass under the proposal. Halifax Harbour Bridges is requesting toll increases for its two spans across the harbour.Ĭash tolls for cars would increase to $1.25 per crossing from $1, while drivers with a Macpass would be charged $1 per crossing, up from 80 cents.

Macpass cost