AASHTO Journal, 20 December 2013
Officials from the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) announced Tuesday that they have halted the toll increases scheduled to take place on the bridge on Jan. 1, allowing drivers to keep a little extra money in their pockets in the new year.
Instead of raising the tolls for 2014 as originally planned, the MBA has voted to keep the 2014 toll rate at the 2012 amount, which stands at $4 per passenger vehicle. In addition, commuter tolls will also be rolled back to 2012 rates.
MDOT and MBA officials say department efficiencies have allowed them to keep costs lower than previously expected on the 56-year-old Mackinac Bridge, which is maintained and operated exclusively through tolls.
“A combination of revenue from the earlier toll increases, improved efficiencies in bridge operations, and sound maintenance practices show the Mackinac Bridge Authority is on track to meet projected future costs, chiefly the bridge’s eventual deck replacement,” said MDOT Director Kirk Steudle. “The ability to delay the planned toll increases demonstrates the MBA’s good stewardship of toll revenues, and that the bridge’s long-term financial plan is sound.”
“The MBA Board and staff has done an outstanding job with efficiencies, such as reduced energy consumption, administrative costs, dark fiber leases, self-insurance, redefining commuters, and electronic tolling, which has resulted in decreased costs,” said MBA Board Chair William Gnodtke in a statement. “These efficiencies have allowed the Mackinac Bridge Authority to delay the planned 2014 toll increase for at least one more year.”
The incremental toll increases were implemented between 2008 and 2013. All future action is “hinging on existing 2013 revenues,” according to MDOT. Officials will look at the most up-to-date data again in late 2014 to see if any adjustments need to be made.
Additional information on the Mackinac Bridge is available at MackinacBridge.org.
