The Mackinac Bridge Authority is studying its bridge deck to determine when repairs and replacements need to be made and how much it will cost, an issue that threatens to wreak havoc with its budget if the deck needs to be completely replaced.

After a year that saw 5.1% more traffic and 4% more revenue than the previous year, the Mackinac Bridge Authority had a lot to smile about during a two-day session in St. Ignace Thursday and Friday, December 3 and 4, but remains concerned about projected deck replacement in 2017 and the high cost associated with it.

The board also discussed the possibility of one-way tolling, discussed past, current, and future maintenance projects, reviewed the summer's special events, announced the printing of a new Mackinac Bridge stamp, and set meeting dates for 2010.

The study of the bridge deck was awarded to Modjeski and Masters of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The group visited the site last month and plans to submit a draft report June 18, with the final report expected August 9.

Funding the deck replacement continues to be a challenge, but part of the solution may be finding money for other maintenance projects so bridge tolls and other revenue can be saved for the new bridge deck.

Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney said he is pursuing a $20 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant to fund two of the bridge's upcoming painting projects. He'll know by February 14 if the MBA will get the money.

"If we had the money, then we wouldn't be in the hole in 2018," Authority Chairman William Gnodtke said.

The grant would help pay for painting both the north and south approach spans on the bridge, estimated to cost $30 million.

Authority member Murray Wikol brought up the possibility of one-way tolling at both the finance committee meeting Friday and a joint meeting with Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge Authority Thursday.

"The goal behind it would be cutting costs and improving the experience for our customers," Mr. Wikol said of the proposal, which would collect tolls in only one direction instead of both, reducing necessary staff and allowing half the bridge's traffic to flow unstopped.

The bridge is still early in the discussion stages of such a change, although studies have shown the most feasible option would be to collect tolls from northbound vehicles, since it would require fewer structural changes to the toll plaza in St. Ignace.

Mr. Sweeney said the bridge administration is still exploring physical requirements as well as perceived and real impacts on traffic, fares, and tourism in the area. The cost to switch to one-way tolling is estimated to cost $2 million and would reduce the current staff by about 30%, which would save $2 million in six to eight years.

Abhe and Svoboda will finish painting the bridge's north span next year . The work was originally scheduled to be done by October 2009, but Abhe and Svoboda found the project took longer than expected and is now looking at a completion date sometime next year. Mr. Sweeney said low levels of experience among the workers, fewer workers than other contractors have brought, and shorter work hours could all have contributed to the delayed completion.

Center span warranty repairs have been completed by American Painting, and south span painting is being completed by MBA crews in the absence of a former contractor, who quit before completing the job. The MBA as spent $600,000 on the warranty work in labor and materials so far, and plans to sue the contractor for the total cost when the job is completed this summer.

Other recent maintenance projects have included waterproofing of the curbs along the length of the bridge, replacement of four deck grating sections, and asphalt crack sealing to prevent water infiltration.

The MBA looked back over bridge special events since its last meeting in July, which included Mackinac Straits Health Foundation's "Free Car Day," the 150 millionth bridge crossing, the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk, and the parade of tractors as a part of the St. Ignace tractor show.

The tractor parade, Mr. Sweeney said, drew about 900 tractors from across the state, up from 627 last year, the event's inauguration. The publicity benefits the bridge, Mr. Sweeney noted, but traffic control needs to be improved.

"It backed our traffic up considerably," he said. "We plan to talk to the sponsor and find a way to help traffic flow. It's good for the local economy and the bridge itself. We would like to keep this event going."

About 50,000 people participated in this year's Labor Day Bridge Walk, Mr. Sweeney reported. The MBA received about 10% more revenue this year, in part, he said, because volunteers selling bus shuttle rides back across the bridge charged $5. In past years, they mistakenly had charged $2.

Mr. Sweeney also reported that 25 "Tower Tour" certificates were given away this year to local nonprofits, raising about $28,000 for local groups. These certificates give the holder the opportunity to ascend the suspension bridge towers for a view 552 feet above the Straits of Mackinac.

"We do incur a cost to do this," Mr. Gnodtke said. "It's an example of what the bridge contributes to the community and to the state."

The next scheduled full board meeting is March 18 and March 19, 2010, at the Van Wagoner Transportation Building in Lansing, and the infrastructure committee will meet at the same place at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 5. The board will return to the Straits area for its regular board meeting on Mackinac Island August 12 and August 13. The MBA also meets in September and December.