Daily News Briefs, January 4, 2023

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Stricter Enforcement Measures Take Effect For Pennsylvania Turnpike Scofflaws

A 2022 law giving the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) more leverage in collecting unpaid tolls is now in effect, WNEP reports. Drivers with $250 or more in unpaid invoices can now have their vehicle registrations suspended — a threshold that was lowered from $500. The tighter measures are intended to help the state collect about $155 million in unpaid tolls on the now-cashless Pennsylvania Turnpike.

A PTC webpage allows drivers to look up unpaid invoices and get answers to questions about toll payment enforcement. TRN reported on several additional aspects of the new law when it was approved in November.

ETC Systems Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Scofflaws

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Ambassador Bridge Tolls Increased January 1

CTV News reports, the Detroit International Bridge Company, private owner-operator of the Ambassador Bridge, raised toll rates effective January 1. “The toll for a passenger vehicle . . . going from Canada into the United States went up to $9.25 [approximately US$6.86]. That’s up from a previous rate of $8 Canadian. Paying in U.S. dollars, the rate from the U.S. to Canada is now $7 US, up from a previous toll of $6 US.” The company’s CEO posted an online letter that didn’t reference the increases, but said more than $100 million has been invested in maintenance projects over the past five years. He also acknowledged that while the company has “historically been very private,” it is working to improve public transparency.

Canada Detroit Int'l Bridge Company (Ambassador Bridge) Michigan Ontario P3 & Privatization Toll Rate Changes

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Sanibel Island Access Relaxed As Causeway Tolling Resumes

The News-Press reports that Lee County, Florida, reinstituted Sanibel Causeway toll collection on January 1. Tolls had been suspended since September 28, 2022, immediately before Hurricane Ian severely damaged the causeway and other parts of the island’s infrastructure. The span reopened on October 19 after the first of three necessary repairs was completed, however police strictly limited island access. As of Monday, January 2, the island remains under a 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM curfew, but non-residents may enter the island outside curfew hours without passing through a police checkpoint.

Florida Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Maintenance Lee County (Florida)

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These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.

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