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Thursday, July 07, 2011

Eastern Shore Businesses Dread Bay Bridge Toll Hike

Just about daily, customers from Annapolis and points west stop in John Oertly's Kent Island outdoors store, stocking up on bait, fishing supplies and hunting gear.

But he's sure a good chunk of them will stop doing that if the Maryland Transportation Authority follows through on plans to raise the Bay Bridge toll to $8 within two years.

"They aren't going to come across," said Oertly, manager of Chesapeake Outdoors in Chester. "People come over (from Annapolis) to buy minnows and worms, because we're a bit cheaper … but you factor in that toll, and we're out. People aren't going to want to spend an extra $8."

According to the MTA's plans, passenger cars would pay $5 to cross the bridge starting in October and $8 by 2013. Tolls for vehicles with three axles would jump from $9 to $24 in two years, while the tolls for vehicles with four axles would jump from $15 to $36. That means people towing boats would face daunting tolls if they plan to launch from ramps on the Eastern Shore.

The price of commuter plans also would go up, from $1 per day to $1.50 by October and $2.80 by 2013.

The proposed increases at the Bay Bridge and other toll roads would be used for highway repairs, MTA officials say.

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

this whole thing is a LIBERAL F-in scam. they spend the savings account, and now tax the little people. I do not use it like the everyday people do and I am still pissed.

2.80 for COMMUTER plans? That is ridiculous.

here is the BIG kicker, 4 axle vehicles, tractor trailers (ie those who deliver the GOODS and FOOD to the eastern shore)AND GASOLINE!!!!!!, that toll cost is going to more than double. what is that going to do to our ALL our goods and commodities? We will not be able to afford to live here, are they pushing us out? or are they raising prices on the generally conservative base over here? how does this affect future US congress districts? hmmmmmmmm? makes you wonder. the goal is to make us Poor - WAKE UP PEOPLE. even though you may not live in Kent Island or Queenstown, it is going to hurt us people in Salisbury really really bad.

at 8$ ill just go take the B.Bridge Tunnel

JAL said...

another reason to be our own state on the shore

Anonymous said...

I never get this kind of thinking. Even at $2.50 for the toll, some people will actually drive from annapolis, a 20 or 30 mile round trip in dense traffic, to save a buck or two on minnows and worms? That's like driving from salisbury to cambridge to fill up in gas because its 5 cents cheaper. Its a stupid waste of time that doesn't save any money.

We the People said...

Let us gather a enough signatures and get it put on the 2012 ballot as we did "JOSE + LOPEZ" free education law recently?