AARoads Forum

National Boards => Bridges => Topic started by: Mr. Matté on September 25, 2024, 10:01:22 AM

Title: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: Mr. Matté on September 25, 2024, 10:01:22 AM
In a lot of instances of pedestrian walkways or bikeways on tolled bridges for motor vehicles, peds/bikes usually don't have to pay a toll. There are some instances where they would have to pay a toll:



I couldn't find any other instances of a toll bridge being specifically tolled for peds/bikes. There were some musings of tolling peds on the Golden Gate Bridge in the past due to crowding (since quashed by a new CA state law banning tolls for pedestrian bridges) and for the new Interstate Bridge between Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA but that's just more of certain politicians wahh-wahhing that cars would be tolled and muh bikes tear up the road too!
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: oscar on September 25, 2024, 10:33:15 AM
I had to pay a $1 toll to walk across the bridge from the end of US 57 in Eagle Pass TX to Piedras Negras in Mexico.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: 1995hoo on September 25, 2024, 10:44:59 AM
The Bridge of the Gods across the Columbia River east of Portland, Oregon, used to charge a 50¢ toll for cyclists and pedestrians, but they now cross for free (seems reasonable for pedestrians, at least, given that there is no walkway and they have to walk in the road facing traffic). Motorcycles used to be charged 50¢ but now pay $2.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4dVtU2ZzfH3cpgkj9 (link should be to the 2015 Street View showing the toll schedule)
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: steviep24 on September 28, 2024, 08:14:29 PM
The Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls charges $1.00 per pedestrian or bicyclist. That's on top of also going through customs/border security.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: DandyDan on September 28, 2024, 09:36:43 PM
The website for the Bellevue toll bridge between Nebraska and Iowa lists a $0.50 toll for bikes and motorcycles.

https://bellevuebridge.net/toll-fees/

I believe during the period I lived in the Omaha area, the Plattsmouth toll bridge had a bike toll, because I witnessed a group pay to use it, but can't verify what the current situation is.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: DandyDan on February 15, 2025, 09:01:19 PM
Quote from: DandyDan on September 28, 2024, 09:36:43 PMI believe during the period I lived in the Omaha area, the Plattsmouth toll bridge had a bike toll, because I witnessed a group pay to use it, but can't verify what the current situation is.

I probably should have looked at GSV. It specifically says $0.25 for bicycles, at least as of two years ago. They don't allow pedestrians to walk the bridge, though.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: ElishaGOtis on February 16, 2025, 12:53:48 AM
While their use is discouraged, the Mid-Bay Bridge in Destin allows bicycles and pedestrians for the same toll rate as cars. It's not enforced much (just an honors system really) but apparently they make about $20 each year from a drop box near the toll plaza.

Quote from: Mr. Matté on September 25, 2024, 10:01:22 AM
  • The unusual ones I know of are in Maryland for the Hatem and Nice Bridges - the state's agreement apparently requires cyclists to pay the full vehicular toll to cross these bridges. If the cyclist doesn't bring their EZ-Pass, they would have to go to the bridge's administration office and pay there, or mail the payment to Philadelphia for some reason. (https://mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/Nice_Middleton_Bike_Access#FAQ4) This would seem to be more like the honor system unless there's a MDTA cop watching you very intently.


Where would you put an E-ZPass on a bicycle? :confused:  :confused:

Plus, the signage on both bridges is quite confusing... nowhere does it say bicycles must pay a toll (let alone use an E-ZPass) and there are minimal signs stating you must be 18 or have a valid drivers license.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: jeffandnicole on February 16, 2025, 06:50:31 AM
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on February 16, 2025, 12:53:48 AMWhile their use is discouraged, the Mid-Bay Bridge in Destin allows bicycles and pedestrians for the same toll rate as cars. It's not enforced much (just an honors system really) but apparently they make about $20 each year from a drop box near the toll plaza.

Quote from: Mr. Matté on September 25, 2024, 10:01:22 AM
  • The unusual ones I know of are in Maryland for the Hatem and Nice Bridges - the state's agreement apparently requires cyclists to pay the full vehicular toll to cross these bridges. If the cyclist doesn't bring their EZ-Pass, they would have to go to the bridge's administration office and pay there, or mail the payment to Philadelphia for some reason. (https://mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/Nice_Middleton_Bike_Access#FAQ4) This would seem to be more like the honor system unless there's a MDTA cop watching you very intently.


Where would you put an E-ZPass on a bicycle? :confused:  :confused:

Plus, the signage on both bridges is quite confusing... nowhere does it say bicycles must pay a toll (let alone use an E-ZPass) and there are minimal signs stating you must be 18 or have a valid drivers license.

You would just hold it as you go under a reader. I guess you could zip-tie into the front of the bike also.

But without the bike having a tag on it, there's almost nothing that can be done to penalize a bicyclist from from failing to pay.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: pderocco on February 16, 2025, 09:19:21 PM
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on February 16, 2025, 12:53:48 AMWhile their use is discouraged, the Mid-Bay Bridge in Destin allows bicycles and pedestrians for the same toll rate as cars. It's not enforced much (just an honors system really) but apparently they make about $20 each year from a drop box near the toll plaza.
That probably doesn't cover the cost of going to the box to see if there's anything in it 365 times.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: Skye on February 16, 2025, 10:21:31 PM
Frankly, I think tolls in general should be banned.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: ErmineNotyours on February 19, 2025, 10:27:18 PM
The Lacy V. Murrow bridge in Seattle (US 10, later I-90) charged a five cent toll for pedestrians, and a toll for horse-drawn vehicles.  Toll Schedule. (https://cdm16977.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16977coll6/id/7963/rec/86)  The 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge also had a turnstile and charged a toll because a report on the collapse included reports of walkers who would pay just to walk on to the moving bridge.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: SectorZ on February 20, 2025, 08:39:03 AM
With all the cycling I've done I've never encountered a bridge toll yet, but wouldn't be opposed to paying it if it was at least a bit discounted from what vehicle traffic pays. If I am taking a long enough bike ride I am spending enough money just to keep me moving anyways.

Only "tolls" I've ever paid cycling are the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury ferry and entering the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newbury MA. The ferry, in its own way, serves the same purpose a bridge.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: RobbieL2415 on May 12, 2025, 02:29:00 PM
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on February 16, 2025, 12:53:48 AMWhile their use is discouraged, the Mid-Bay Bridge in Destin allows bicycles and pedestrians for the same toll rate as cars. It's not enforced much (just an honors system really) but apparently they make about $20 each year from a drop box near the toll plaza.

Quote from: Mr. Matté on September 25, 2024, 10:01:22 AM
  • The unusual ones I know of are in Maryland for the Hatem and Nice Bridges - the state's agreement apparently requires cyclists to pay the full vehicular toll to cross these bridges. If the cyclist doesn't bring their EZ-Pass, they would have to go to the bridge's administration office and pay there, or mail the payment to Philadelphia for some reason. (https://mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/Nice_Middleton_Bike_Access#FAQ4) This would seem to be more like the honor system unless there's a MDTA cop watching you very intently.


Where would you put an E-ZPass on a bicycle? :confused:  :confused:

Plus, the signage on both bridges is quite confusing... nowhere does it say bicycles must pay a toll (let alone use an E-ZPass) and there are minimal signs stating you must be 18 or have a valid drivers license.

Here's how I'm guessing this is enforced:

-Bicycle crosses under toll gantries, doesn't pay

-A MD State Police trooper who's job it is to monitor cameras for scofflaws sees the cyclist and gets in their cruiser and detains the cyclist.
Title: Re: Tolls for pedestrians/bicyclists on bridges
Post by: ElishaGOtis on May 12, 2025, 05:02:48 PM
Quote from: RobbieL2415 on May 12, 2025, 02:29:00 PM
Quote from: ElishaGOtis on February 16, 2025, 12:53:48 AMWhile their use is discouraged, the Mid-Bay Bridge in Destin allows bicycles and pedestrians for the same toll rate as cars. It's not enforced much (just an honors system really) but apparently they make about $20 each year from a drop box near the toll plaza.

Quote from: Mr. Matté on September 25, 2024, 10:01:22 AM
  • The unusual ones I know of are in Maryland for the Hatem and Nice Bridges - the state's agreement apparently requires cyclists to pay the full vehicular toll to cross these bridges. If the cyclist doesn't bring their EZ-Pass, they would have to go to the bridge's administration office and pay there, or mail the payment to Philadelphia for some reason. (https://mdta.maryland.gov/Toll_Facilities/Nice_Middleton_Bike_Access#FAQ4) This would seem to be more like the honor system unless there's a MDTA cop watching you very intently.


Where would you put an E-ZPass on a bicycle? :confused:  :confused:

Plus, the signage on both bridges is quite confusing... nowhere does it say bicycles must pay a toll (let alone use an E-ZPass) and there are minimal signs stating you must be 18 or have a valid drivers license.

Here's how I'm guessing this is enforced:

-Bicycle crosses under toll gantries, doesn't pay

-A MD State Police trooper who's job it is to monitor cameras for scofflaws sees the cyclist and gets in their cruiser and detains the cyclist.

How would you know that a toll payment is required if no sign is there saying that a toll payment is required (for bicycles)? Are they really going to go the route of "ignorance of the law is no excuse"? At that rate they should spend the money paying the trooper to be out there to have him/her collect the toll, rather than enforcing a questionably-signed rule.