Mighty Mac commuter toll to increase January 1

NEWS RELEASE

MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY

*************************** Mackinac Bridge commuter tolls to increase Jan. 1; other tolls remain unchanged

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) reminds motorists that only the commuter toll rate will increase effective Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011.

The new commuter rate will be $1.90 per crossing, provided commuter card holders make their return trip within 36 hours of the first one.

The expiration date for commuter cards has been extended to Dec. 31, 2011.

After a series of public hearings in December 2007, the MBA board opted for incremental toll rate increases to help fund a long-term maintenance and preservation program that includes a complete deck-replacement project within the next decade.

The 53-year-old Mackinac Bridge is maintained and operated exclusively with toll revenue.

The MBA will work diligently on its long-term preservation strategy to continuously review and implement a variety of cost-saving measures, as appropriate, in the future.

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