A toll increase on the Liberty and Independence bridges is drawing concern in Bay City.
Next month, the price of the unlimited pass will double from $15 to $30 per month. City officials say it will hurt the community and are reviewing legal options.
The toll bridges are privately operated by the Bay City Bridge Partners. Bay City residents can apply for a transponder to get free travels until 2028. Commuters with a transponder and commercial drivers can cross for $2 per crossing. Drivers without a transponder must $5.50 per visit.
Other vehicles cross at higher rates, and a full list is available on the Bridge Partners' website. The unlimited pass allows for unlimited crossings.
“The subscription is most applicable to users who make over 15 trips per month and is valid on both the Liberty and Independence Bridges,” wrote the Bay City Bridge Partners on Facebook.
Bridge Partners also said unlimited passes will be phased out in July, meaning drivers with no transponder must pay to cross every time.
Bay City Commissioner Craig Kokaly said city officials were caught off guard and weren’t notified in advance about the changes. Kokaly said the city is working with its legal team on next steps, which sent a letter to the partners about the changes.
"We are going to wait for the attorneys to come back with some information as what we can and cannot do," Kokaly said. "We are dealing with contracts and private businesses right now. We just have to see what's allowed and go forward with that."
Kokaly said the toll increases could hurt businesses in Bay City that are divided across the Saginaw River.
“It's convenient to get across, especially the Independence Bridge, for our neighbors in the county," he said. "We depend on the counties to sustain downtown and businesses and if they find it inconvenient or too costly to cross the bridge it's going to affect some of our businesses in town here."
He said commuters from the Thumb and communities like Hampton Township and Essexville rely on the Independence Bridge, and that Midland businesses would be hurt by the toll change at the Liberty Bridge.
The Veteran’s Memorial Bridge is still toll-free to drive across. The Bay City Bridge Partners did not respond to a request for comment.
