Capital Construction

Portion of new toll plaza to be opened at Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge

October 17, 2014 — Two of the six planned new toll booths at the International Bridge are in place and will be open for toll collection from three new lanes beginning as early as 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20.IMG_5564

“The pavement, utility tunnel, and toll booths on the eastern portion of the toll plaza will be completed on schedule and we can begin toll collection from two booths to serve three lanes,” said project manager Karl Hansen.

Early in the week, the two new northbound toll lanes will open and process traffic as the last temporary northbound toll booth and lane are removed. By midweek, (more…)

Continue ReadingPortion of new toll plaza to be opened at Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge

Toll Plaza update: IBA prepares for new booths and toll software

Fast Facts:

  • The 2-year, 8.9-million-dollar Toll Plaza construction project continues at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge.
  • A recent survey shows traffic impacts have been minimal.
  • The IBA’s goal is to get two permanent toll booths installed and operational in October.
  • New enhanced toll software is slated to be installed in early 2015.

 Sept. 11, 2014 — The International Bridge Administration (IBA)  is breathing a collective sigh of relief as the summer peak traffic season progresses without major congestion issues from the 2-year, 8.9-million-dollar Toll Plaza construction project.

“We are very pleased with the safe and smooth traffic flow through the toll plaza project,” said IBA General Manager Phil Becker. “A lot of planning went into the temporary (more…)

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Read more about the article Toll of time: A last visit to the Toll Booths
First semi toll collected at the newly opened International Bridge.

Toll of time: A last visit to the Toll Booths

Toll of time: One of the first to cross the International Bridge makes a last visit to the old toll booths

 July 21, 2014 — The year Barb Reiter was 12, she missed Halloween in order to take a special trip up north to Sault Ste. Marie with her truck driver dad. “I was 12 and it was Halloween, so I missed trick-or-treating,” she said. “So you guys owe me some candy.”

Instead, Barb spent the day as she often did, riding along with her dad on his runs to pick
up lumber from Canada and return it to a furniture plant in Muskegon. This trip was one of the most memorable. Instead of crossing the St. Marys River on a ferry, which could take up to two hours including wait time, they had the honor of being in the first commercial vehicle to cross the brand new International Bridge.

First semi toll collected at the newly opened International Bridge.
First semi toll collected at the newly opened International Bridge.

An old photo shows Barb and her father, Carl, paying the toll as they head northbound across the bridge on Oct. 31, 1962. Barb vividly remembers the crowd that greeted her and her dad as they headed back south down I-75 after the ceremonial crossing.

(more…)

Continue ReadingToll of time: A last visit to the Toll Booths