LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Nothing in life is free... at least, not for long. And as Missourians begin slowly returning to normalcy, that means at the Lake something that has been free for more than a month no longer will be: the toll bridge.

Officially the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, but commonly known as the "toll bridge," the roadway constructed in 1998 has been manned by a toll booth since the beginning. But since March 23, 2020, the bridge has been free to use: one of the countless changes brought about by the coronavirus. Drivers who love the feeling of cruising across the bridge without paying only have a few more days to do it: the bridge will resume toll collections on Monday, May 4.

The district that operates the bridge expects it to be completely paid off by 2026, at which time ownership and maintenance will be transferred to the state of Missouri's Department of Transportation. Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge Transportation Development District (TDD) VP/Treasurer Joe Roeger says the one free month of tolls likely will kick the payoff date out by a month or so. "The biggest expense is debt service, by a long shot," he said. "And that continued on." Roeger said the district also continued paying its employees while the bridge was free to use, and because it is a political subdivision, the TDD was not eligible for the Payroll Protection Program—which helped small businesses and 501(c)3s keep employees on payroll with loans/grants, during coronavirus shutdowns.

The district can not simply make tolls free on a whim, Roeger explained. The bridge was financed with bonds, he pointed out, adding, "The bond trust indenture prohibits us from giving free passage." So the district had to obtain permission from the bondholders to temporarily suspend toll-collection.

He said in the 22-year history of the bridge, tolls had never been suspended like this. One time, Roeger thought, there had been a major snowstorm and they had briefly suspended tolls, but it has never happened for days and weeks on end.

Social-Distancing Approved?

Considering the number of people who use the bridge daily—many of whom, this summer, will be from out of town or out of state—is toll-collection something that can be done within social distancing guidelines after Missouri's stay-home order expires on May 3? Kelli Jones, Communications Director for Governor Mike Parson's office answered this way: "Unless the county says the toll-road operators can’t operate, I would think under the state guidelines it would be appropriate because social distancing can be practiced. Rubber gloves and face coverings would be highly recommended."

Why Not Automated?

Some have wondered why there are toll collectors at all: why not create automated toll-collection? The two options there include: 1) toll passes that use a device in the car to pay as the driver passes through, and 2) camera-based systems that photograph the vehicle's license plate and then send a bill to the address the state's department of revenue has on file for that driver. The problem with the first solution, Roeger said, is that it would still require the bridge to have toll booth operators, for those who do not have a toll pass (the bridge actually does offer pre-pay passes, and Roeger said not very many people use them). The problem with the second option, he said, was the amount of investment required in installing such a system (which did not exist when the toll bridge was built in 1998) would not pay for itself through wage-savings by the time the bridge is set to be free under the current processes, in 2026.

Toll Reductions?

Roeger explained the district—at the prompting of the Lake West Chamber of Commerce—looked into the possibility of toll-reduction several years ago. He says the district did end up making some minor adjustments to give lower offseason rates and higher peak-season (summer) rates, but opted not to make major changes so they could stay on track to get the bridge paid off and free for all drivers by 2026.

When that happens, MoDOT will be in charge of the Community Bridge, which will still not be technically free of course (nothing is), but a handy shortcut across the Lake whose maintenance costs will then be covered by Missouri taxpayers.

6
0
1
0
4

(0 Ratings)