OOIDA Call to Action – Michigan members
November 20, 2009

Attention: Michigan truckers! Tolls for trucks crossing the Blue Water Bridge are scheduled to nearly double to $3.25 per axle starting in January. This is a seriously misguided plan and you are encouraged to make your voice heard on the issue.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has scheduled three public hearings to receive comments concerning this important bridge that connects Port Huron, MI, and Sarnia, Ontario.

Current tolls for trucks crossing into the U.S. are $1.75 USD per axle. The proposed increase would drive truck tolls to $3.25 per axle starting Jan. 5. For passenger vehicles, a $1.50 toll would double to $3. The bridge offers a commuter discount for frequent users.

Approximately 6,000 trucks and a total of 20,000 vehicles cross the Blue Water Bridge on a busy day.

Truckers should make sure MDOT hears about the strain this increase will put on trucking businesses. Public hearings are scheduled for

• 1 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the MDOT Lansing Transportation Service Center, 3101 Technology Blvd., Lansing, MI;
• 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Travel Information Centre, 1455 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward, Ont.; and
• 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Port Huron Municipal Building, 100 McMorran Blvd., Port Huron, MI.

Written statements, faxes, and e-mails may be submitted before Dec. 16 to:

Robert H. Parsons,
Public Involvement And Hearings Officer
Bureau of Transportation Planning, MDOT
P.O. Box 30050
Lansing, MI 48909
E-mail: parsonsb@michigan.gov
Fax: 517-373-9255.

Officials say they are hoping the increases will raise an additional $8 million to $10 million per year to improve the bridge, the plaza and the approaches.

Visit michigan.gov/bluewaterbridge for more information.