Hearings on Bridge Fare To Be Dec. 4 and 6

Two Mackinac Bridge fare increase proposals will be the topic of discussion at public hearings planned in St. Ignace and Mackinaw City Tuesday, December 4. A third public hearing is set for Lansing December 6. A decision, which likely will impact toll rates January 1, 2008, is expected to be made at a Mackinac Bridge Authority meeting December 20.

Proposal A calls for an immediate 60% rate hike for passenger vehicles from the current $2.50 per crossing fare to $4. Commuter rates would rise from $1.50 to $2.

Proposal B offers a step-increase of 20% for the initial hike, or 50¢ for those traveling over the bridge, from $2.50 to $3. Commuter rates would remain unchanged at $1.50. The second increase in this incremental plan would raise fares in five years from $3 per crossing to $4. The 2013 increase would also bump up commuter rates to $2.

The 50-year-old structure needs major work, and declining bridge traffic and falling revenues, say Authority members, make the fare hike necessary to help pay for the projects.

The Authority needs $40 million for a painting project on the north portion of the bridge that starts in 2008, and by 2018, $190 million is needed to replace the bridge deck.

Public hearings will be held December 4 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Little Bear East Arena and Community Center in St. Ignace, and from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hamilton Inn on Huron Avenue in Mackinaw City. A December 6 hearing will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lansing Michigan Department of Transportation building at 3101 Technology Boulevard.

Those unable to attend can send comments to Robert H. Parsons, Public Involvement and Hearings Officer, Bureau of Transportation Planning, MDOT, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, Michigan 48909. Opinions can be sent by e-mail to www.parsonsb@michigan.gov, and by fax to 517-373-9255.

Mr. Parsons will chair the hearings. Information sheets will be available and a presentation is planned. MBA staff will attend to answer questions.

A final decision on the fare increase will be determined by the Authority during a meeting scheduled for that purpose in southeast Michigan.