New tolling software is expected to be installed at the Blue Water Bridge this summer.
Starting at 7 a.m. Monday, April 25, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be doing maintenance at the eastbound span in order to prepare for the new program.
Spokesperson Jocelyn Garza said commuters will have the option of getting a transponder to attach to their windshields for quick and easy toll payment.
"That transponder will go ahead and read each time they pass through the toll and deduct their toll from their account that's linked to it," said Garza. "We use the Edge Pass, and the FBCL (Federal Bridge Corporation) uses a different commuter pass program. All of those accounts can be housed inside of this transponder."
Garza said the only traffic restrictions will be a 12 foot width limit for commercial traffic. Work is expected to wrap up Wednesday.
She said they haven't had a discount program since the use of tokens was eliminated but notes demand has been high for their Edge Pass.
"Sometime, probably in June, we will be using the transponders for the eastbound span of the Blue Water Bridge. That's obviously still a few months away but we will have a lot of opportunities to reach out to our customers so that they are prepared."
MDOT elected to eliminate cash payments during the COVID pandemic, and decided to make the decision permanent.
