Blue Water Bridge (Blackburnnews.com Photo By Dave Dentinger)Blue Water Bridge (Blackburnnews.com Photo By Dave Dentinger)
Sarnia

Canadian bridge tolls going up

Canadian tolls heading to the U.S. on the Blue Water Bridge are going up as of November 1.

The rate will increase to $4.25 from $4 for passenger vehicles, and the commercial per axle rate will be $4.50 up from $4.25.

It's the first hike for passenger and commercial vehicles since 2016.

Federal Bridge Corporation spokesman Andre Girard, said a number of factors have contributed to the $0.25 cent increase.

" We've got many ongoing projects, the emergency return roads, the commercial park, the exit lane construction and so on," said Girard. " Those are all factors that are thrown in the hat. We also have traffic trends that have been rather flat, it's not moving up at all. Another key factor, which is not the least, is the ongoing maintenance which is not getting cheaper every year."

The Michigan Department of Transportation raised its tolls by $0.25 to $4 for passenger vehicles coming into Canada, paid in Canadian currency, effective October 1.

The rates are reviewed semi-annually based on the average daily currency exchange rate, as published by the Bank of Canada, for the previous six month period.

In the meantime, the Federal Bridge Corporation hopes to unveil its new pre-paid discounted toll program in the coming weeks, after the elimination of tokens.

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