If you plan to travel to the Upper Peninsula after January 1st and to use “The Mighty Mac” to get there, you’ll be interested in this from the Mackinaw Bridge Authority:

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) has issued a reminder to motorists planning to cross the bridge:

Effective Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, the following rates will go into effect (per crossing):

•    Auto/passenger vehicle – $3.50; vehicle with trailer – $1.75 per axle
•    Commuter – $1.80*
•    Other, including commercial trucks and motor homes – $4.50 per axle

After a series of public hearings held in December 2007, the MBA board unanimously approved incremental toll adjustments until 2014, instead of a one-time adjustment. Toll revenue will help fund a long-term maintenance and preservation program that includes a complete deck-replacement project within the next decade. The 52-year-old bridge is maintained and operated exclusively with toll revenue.

Passenger vehicle tolls will increase to $4 in 2012 and $4.50 in 2014. A passenger vehicle with trailer toll will be $2 per axle in 2012 and $2.25 in 2014. Motor home and commercial truck tolls will increase to $5 per axle in 2012 and $6 per axle in 2014. Commuter tolls will increase to $1.90 in 2011, $2.00 in 2012, $2.10 in 2013, and $2.20 in 2014.

At its December 2007 meeting, the MBA board also decided to review financial forecast data in 2013 to determine future actions, such as a toll increase listed in 2014, modification of tolls, and/or bonding.  Regardless of future traffic volumes, the MBA will work diligently on its long-term preservation strategy to continuously review and implement a variety of cost-saving measures, as appropriate.

*Commuter card holders must make their second trip within 36 hours of the first one in order to receive the commuter rate.

Source:  News release from Mackinac Bridge Authority