Mackinac Bridge tolls won't rise in 2014

ST. IGNACE, Mich. (AP) -- Mackinac Bridge tolls won't be going up next year after all. Fees for crossing the five-mile-long bridge linking Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas had been scheduled to rise Jan. 1 under a schedule set by the Mackinac Bridge Authority in 2007. But the authority decided earlier this year to keep the tolls at current levels. That means drivers of passenger vehicles will continue paying $4. Commercial vehicle rates will remain at $5 per axle. Meanwhile, the rate for commuter vehicles will drop from $2.10 this year back to the 2012 level of $2. Board chairman William Gnodtke says reduced energy consumption, electronic tolling and other efficiencies have cut costs and made the fee increases unnecessary. Published: Thu, Jan 2, 2014