Commercial vehicle drivers traveling on the U.S. side of the Blue Water Bridge that connects Port Huron, Mich., and Sarnia, Ontario, are now paying a $2.50 per axle toll, and should expect an increase to $3.25 an axle
starting April 1, 2010. The new toll structure, which took effect Tuesday, involves an increased toll rate from the previous $1.75 per axle for commercial vehicles.

The rate increases followed a series of four public meetings held in early December in Lansing, Port Huron and Point Edward, Ontario, when the Michigan Department of Transportation department heard comments from about 30 organizations and individuals. One group, the Ontario Trucking Association, spoke out against the hikes because MDOT was originally going to implement the 85 percent increase at one time.

"The trucking industry let us know that our original proposal - which was to increase the rate to the full $3.25 per axle - was too steep for their current contracts to handle," said Michael Szuch, Blue Water Bridge manager. "We were willing to negotiate the timing of the full increase based on these concerns, but we are obligated to keep the bridge's finances in good standing, so it was critical that we moved forward with the toll increase as soon as possible."

The second boost, slated for April, would bring tolls on the U.S. side in line with those on the Canadian side. According to Szuch, the Blue Water Bridge had not increased toll rates on the U.S. side since 1997.

The toll increases are expected to boost revenue by about $8 to $10 million a year and will help pay for upcoming maintenance needs, including bridge painting and redecking needed in the next 10 to 15 years.