Starting January 1, Bay City's Independence Bridge will begin tolling, similar to the Liberty Bridge. General Manager Kevin Bischel explained, "It'll be very similar to what's done on Liberty, same toll rates, same process, if you have a monthly pass, it's good and it covers both bridges." Non-residents with a transponder will pay $2 per crossing or $15 per month for unlimited crossings, while those without a transponder will pay $5.50 per crossing. Residents can cross for free if they register and get a transponder, which will be available through the company. This free benefit will last for five years, as stated by ABC12.
The new tolls are a result of changes in Bay City. The Lafayette Bridge is closed until 2027 for repairs. Bay Metro Transit, which avoided the tolls on Liberty Bridge during a detour, will now pay a $25,000 annual fee to use it again. This makes Liberty Bridge important for city transit, while Veterans Memorial Bridge remains the only free crossing, as mentioned by Mlive
Kevin Bischel, steward of the bridges, recommends that residents get a BC-PASS transponder "so that they can get a lower rate and not have the higher cost of the invoice." This advice comes as the Bay City Bridge Partners prepare to introduce tolls at Independence Bridge. Local residents will also have a toll-free grace period on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, as reported by WNEM.
