Skip to main content

International bridge opens new toll lanes, upgrades system

The Sault Ste Marie International Bridge, which connects Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, is opening new toll lanes and upgrading its system with new software and new frequent user discounts. The International Bridge Authority (IBA) began opening the new lanes this week as part of a US$7 million project undertaken in coordination with the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan portion of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. The toll software upgrades, which are necessary be
August 11, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
The Sault Ste Marie International Bridge, which connects Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, is opening new toll lanes and upgrading its system with new software and new frequent user discounts.

The International Bridge Authority (IBA) began opening the new lanes this week as part of a US$7 million project undertaken in coordination with the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan portion of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron.

The toll software upgrades, which are necessary because the current software is obsolete and will no longer be supported, will cost US$2.4 million over ten years.

The IBA’s toll system upgrade is also being coordinated with the larger US$8.9 million toll plaza reconstruction effort.

IBA officials expect all three permanent northbound lanes and two permanent southbound lanes to be fully functional by 12 August. The remaining two permanent southbound lanes are slated to go online in late September after the demolition of the old IBA administration building. When complete, the toll plaza will have four southbound and three northbound lanes.

Related Content

  • December 10, 2015
    Simple solutions for bigger screen
    Mitsubishi’s David Jones considers an alternative to purchasing the display technology for traffic management centres. Display screen technology is evolving rapidly but while the video wall is arguably the most important technology system in a traffic management centre (TMC), most are five to 10 years old and effectively obsolete. When faced with similar problems, other sectors around the world have adopted a policy of leasing all or part of the equipment.
  • January 30, 2012
    Open road tolling: safer with less congestion
    Michael J. Davis of PBS&J looks at the positive effect that open road tolling can have on safety
  • May 19, 2017
    Comprehensive communications combats tolling resistance
    Toll road operator must provide clear, comprehensive and consistent communications to user groups and the local community long before the facility opens. When new tolled highway infrastructure is about to go into service, the construction, management and finance specialists who brought it into being are about ready for a well-deserved celebration. But for the communications and outreach team responsible for building public support for the project – for bringing drivers to the road, and keeping partners and
  • January 11, 2017
    Kapsch outlines tolling options to combat traffic congestion
    Michael Maitland from Kapsch TrafficCom looks at how the various forms of tolling can help authorities combat traffic congestion and air quality problems while simultaneously raising revenue.