New tolls on Mid-Bay Bridge and Spence Parkway take effect October 1
Road signage reflecting the new tolls will be changed late September PRIOR to effective date
The new toll schedule for the Mid-Bay Bridge and Spence Parkway, approved by the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority in August, goes into effect Thursday, October 1, 2015.
Most drivers will be required to pay an increase in tolls. However, a new tier of drivers called “SunPass Frequent Users†will not see a rate increase. To qualify for the SunPass Frequent User rate, 41 transactions must be met at each tolling point per calendar month to receive the discount rebate.
For use of the Mid-Bay Bridge, two-axle vehicles using cash will be required to pay $4.00 per use. SunPass users will receive a $1.00 discount and pay $3.00 per use. The SunPass Frequent User toll rate will remain at the current $2.00 per use once the account holder reaches 41 transactions in that calendar month. A rebate for each qualifying transaction will be credited to the user’s account the following month.
Drivers utilizing Spence Parkway with a two-axle vehicle will now pay $2.00. SunPass users will receive a $.50 discount and pay $1.50 per use. Once the 41-transaction threshold is reached on the Parkway, SunPass Frequent Users will not pay an increase, with their tolls remaining $1.00 per trip. Once an account holder has reached 41 transactions in a calendar month at the Spence Parkway all-electronic toll point, a rebate for each qualifying transaction will be credited to the user’s account the following month.
The new rates reflect a $1.00 increase for infrequent users of the Mid Bay Bridge and $.50 for infrequent users of the Spence Parkway. The new toll schedule provides enough revenue to cover the costs of operating the infrastructure and eliminates a toll increase for local frequent commuters, who make up about 3 of every 10 bridge transactions.
The Department of Transportation is scheduled to be on site along both roads, changing signage to reflect the new toll rates between September 27 and 30.
For more information on the SunPass Frequent User classification and all toll rates effective October 1, please visit the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority website at http://www.mid-bay.com.
