LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Feedback from the Lake community about the Community (“Toll”) Bridge is in, and the bridge board is now looking closely at the results.

Among the takeaways: many respondents were favorable of toll payment automation and smartphone payment ability, along with increased incentivizing of pre-paid cards. The desire for lower tolls, with a longer project loan payback period, was a clear message sent by respondents. And the bridge board is now even considering marketing the bridge, to encourage drivers to use it more in the future.

The estimated cost of the survey was $4,000 and was funded by donations from the public. To view the full results of the survey visit http://www.lakewestchamber.com/images/lake-toll-bridge-2.pdf. For information call the Lake West Chamber of Commerce at 573 374-1500.

Study History

The Lake West Chamber of Commerce (LWCC) Board of Directors after hearing a “high level” of feedback from the community regarding the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge, conducted the survey of both regional full and part-time residents to understand the impact of cost on use, use patterns and perceptions of bridge service. The project was led by the LWCC with the assistance from a community steering committee and the University of Missouri Extension Office.

The Community Bridge is located on Route TT in Sunrise Beach and connects the Westside of the Lake of the Ozarks to the east at the city of Lake Ozark. And while many point out the bridge provides an essential gateway for commerce in and around the Lake of the Ozarks trade area, the tolls associated with it have not been without controversy.

The Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber of Commerce hosted a public informational meeting to discuss the bridge and announce the survey on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015.

According to a press release by the LWCC, the goal of the project was to inform community conversations regarding bridge policy and to inform the conversations and decisions of policymakers in realizing the highest and best use of the bridge in the near and long term.

The Survey

The survey included a total of 22 questions. The report states that the total number of questions individual respondents answered depended upon both demographic characteristics such as workforce status as well as primary residency status. In addition to demographic characteristics and bridge use and policy perceptions, respondents were asked to describe their level of workforce participation (full/part time/retired) and type of workforce participation (occupational sector, management/decision making role).

Two sampling techniques were employed to gather data for the survey. A combined randomized sample via post cards delivered at the bridge as well as a sampling at local institutions through print and social media outlets. The survey was conducted from Thursday, April 16, 2015 to Monday, October 19, 2015.

The final report gleaned from a statistically valid sampling of 1,289 users was prepared by the Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis through the University of Missouri.

The LWCC board met with the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge Board to discuss the study and presented the following top four points for consideration when making future policy decisions:

  1. The report found that costs are a significant issue when determining use patterns of the bridge. The chamber requested consideration to be given to a long term financing approach that would provide a lower toll cost for users over an extended timeframe.
  2. The report found that the prepaid card system was not utilized by a large number of respondents. They requested consideration be given to the enhancement of the prepaid card system as well as the ability to electronically monitor balances, make payments, monitor use data, and provide a financial incentive to use prepaid cards. The board felt this would be especially convenient if transaction information could be done on a mobile device such as a smart phone.
  3. The report found system automation highly desirable. Given that there is interest in low tolls over a longer period of time as opposed to a short term loan payback, the board requested consideration be given to system automation. Recognizing cost barriers do exist, technology has advanced since the opening of the bridge. The board felt an automated system that would place a premium on user convenience of interest.
  4. The report supported the promotion and marketing of the Community Bridge. Given the importance of this critical asset to the community, the board felt the development of a marketing plan that promoted community support and increased awareness could bring both tangible and intangible benefits.

A sampling of the findings included that approximately 70 percent of the respondents were primary residents, 46.7 percent used the bridge all the time, and 34.7 used the bridge to access services. Only 10.8 percent use the bridge for work, which was surprising because at the  community meeting in January 2015, many citizens stated they thought the cost of the bridge mostly affected employees traveling to and from work. Only 19.8 percent were found to spend under $50 annually on bridge tolls, 19.4 percent spend $200 to $500 and 19.3 percent spend more than $1,000 annually. A large and telling 65.9 percent said the cost of the toll affected their decision to use the bridge in the summer.

What’s Next?

According to a LWCC press release, the Community Bridge Board was open and receptive to the detailed information in the study, including their recommendations. The bridge board gave the study and data to their analyst, who will report back to them. However, any changes to their operating procedures, rates, or structure, must meet their bondholder's requirements.

"The Community Bridge Board is just as interested in the economic health and development of the area as is the LWCC," LWCC Executive Director Paul Hopper said.

"I came away from the meeting optimistic."


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