Roads: Ambassador & Gordie Howe Bridges

[lenaitch]

In the world where this happens, they can keep taking the bridge. The proposal is for a truck toll, presumably it would cover the types of trucks that are prohibited from the tunnel. Windsor residents working in Detroit and commuting by bridge would not have a direct financial impact.

Fair and good point. I wonder if there is a legal foundation (in our context, a constitutional foundation) for imposing a toll on one class of vehicle, particularly if could established that it is considered punative.

 

[max]

Fair and good point. I wonder if there is a legal foundation (in our context, a constitutional foundation) for imposing a toll on one class of vehicle, particularly if could established that it is considered punative.

I don't expect an issue since the 407 imposes different rates for different vehicle classes, and as we learned last year in the carbon tax debate, a price of $0/ton is a legal amount that the government was able to charge.

 

[lenaitch]

I don't expect an issue since the 407 imposes different rates for different vehicle classes, and as we learned last year in the carbon tax debate, a price of $0/ton is a legal amount that the government was able to charge.

You might be right, but I suspect the issue would not be a different rate but, rather, a toll vs no toll. Hwy 407 is privately owned. Huronchurch Rd. is public property.

I think the whole issue is moot anyway. Even if the city wanted to and could, how do you toll a road full of cross streets and business access.

 

[max]

I think the whole issue is moot anyway. Even if the city wanted to and could, how do you toll a road full of cross streets and business access.

If they did it, the toll gates would only need to be in the vicinity of the intersection of Huron Church Rd, College Av and Patricia Rd. They would set them up to either catch trucks bound for the Ambassador Bridge, exiting from the bridge or both. No reason to toll any other part of the road.

 

[lenaitch]

If they did it, the toll gates would only need to be in the vicinity of the intersection of Huron Church Rd, College Av and Patricia Rd. They would set them up to either catch trucks bound for the Ambassador Bridge, exiting from the bridge or both. No reason to toll any other part of the road.

Fair - I don't know the area that well. Tolling only certain vehicles exiting a tolled bridge would likely be seen as punitive. Further made moot because I doubt the province would allow it anyway.

 

[drum118]

Doug Ford says if Trump doesn’t open Gordie Howe Bridge, he might allow Windsor to set up tolls​

Doug Ford says if Trump doesn’t open Gordie Howe Bridge, he might …​

 

[junctionist]

I think the whole issue is moot anyway. Even if the city wanted to and could, how do you toll a road full of cross streets and business access.

You put licence plate cameras at every intersection. Also, stickers could be made available to locals to be able to use the road economically (e.g. by paying a price for a year's worth of access) or for free.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

The Gordie Howe International Bridge will feature a dedicated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists that is toll-free. This path is designed to accommodate two-way traffic, allowing for non-motorized crossing of the US-Canada border without any charges.edited

See https://gordiehoweinternationalbridge.com/toll/

Breakaway is a toll discount program and your pass to seamless crossing at the Gordie Howe International Bridge. For businesses, commuters or occasional travellers, opening a Breakaway account is your direct route to hassle-free payment and discounted rates when the bridge opens.

 

[innsertnamehere]

Interesting - that's the first time I've seen toll rates announced.

Unsurprisingly, it vastly undercuts the Ambassador bridge which is $10 USD currently - at $5.75.

I am frustrated they won't take EZPass though. Even the Ambassador is working towards EZPass right now.. It's not hard for Canadians to get EZPasses (I have an NY EZPass, no annual fee and good discounts when driving in the US).

It also undercuts the commercial rate - $12 an axle instead of $20.

It is more expensive than the Blue Water bridge though, which is currently $7 CAD and as low as $4.50 with a responder.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Interesting - that's the first time I've seen toll rates announced.

Unsurprisingly, it vastly undercuts the Ambassador bridge which is $10 USD currently - at $5.75.

I am frustrated they won't take EZPass though. Even the Ambassador is working towards EZPass right now.. It's not hard for Canadians to get EZPasses (I have an NY EZPass, no annual fee and good discounts when driving in the US).

It also undercuts the commercial rate - $12 an axle instead of $20.

It is more expensive than the Blue Water bridge though, which is currently $7 CAD and as low as $4.50 with a responder.

Bicycles, scooters, and pedestrians are prohibited on the Ambassador Bridge.

 

[drum118]

$12 per axle for all other vehicles saving truckers a lot of money per trip​

It’s going to cost $8 for passenger vehicles to cross the Gordie Howe bridge when it opens​

 

[Haljackey]

I do hope they take cash. Sometimes your card(s) can be cancelled when traveling due to suspicious activity. For example, I had a credit card cancelled trying to use it at a gas pump in the US once.

At the Blue Water, I've been a long line at the toll booth because someone at the front couldn't pay electronically and was past the point of no return.

Cash should always be accepted (as a last resort), but the 'preferred' payment would be tap.

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Then again all this news is pointless if it doesn't open. The political shenanigans could block the opening for years.

 

[lenaitch]

I do hope they take cash. Sometimes your card(s) can be cancelled when traveling due to suspicious activity. For example, I had a credit card cancelled trying to use it at a gas pump in the US once.

At the Blue Water, I've been a long line at the toll booth because someone at the front couldn't pay electronically and was past the point of no return.

Cash should always be accepted (as a last resort), but the 'preferred' payment would be tap.

----

Then again all this news is pointless if it doesn't open. The political shenanigans could block the opening for years.

I can't remember where we were but on some bike trip somewhere at a small toll point one of the guys only had $50s. The booth operator just looked at him and waved him through. Cleaver rouse?

There is no law that says a business has to take cash but I suspect being government-aligned, the bridge authority will, at least at one or two designated lanes.

 

[drum118]

 

[IRT_BMT_IND]

Nothing to do with tolls or politics, but has the MTO reconfigured the lanes at the 401/Huron Church interchange yet? The current/old provisional setup had the through lanes going to Huron Church, with a left exit to continue onto the 401 stub.