No More Toll Booth! Here's What Happens After The Lake Of The Ozarks Toll Bridge Becomes Free

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Will the toll bridge ever be free? Residents and visitors have asked the question for years, and the organization managing the bridge has released a target date of April 30 to stop charging a toll.

After residents recover from the shock, the next question might be:

Now what?

Once the Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge Corporation pays off the bridge and other liabilities, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will take over the bridge and there will be no toll.

"There are a few procedural steps that do need to take place following that tentative date released by the Community Bridge Board," said MoDOT Area Engineer Daniel Roeger. "In the future, we do plan to demolish the toll plaza and make it a more contiguous roadway."

Tearing down the booth is one way to improve the roadway by removing potential hazards for motorists, Roeger said. This in the works for the near future, but it won't be taking place immediately with budget restraints and planning for the project.

"We appreciate the TDD, and we're proud of the success they've had," Daniel said. "There'll need to be a transfer of deeds to the highway commission, and following that, it's fairly straightforward."

Before all of this happens, liabilities will have to be taken care of by the organization. This primarily includes the bond debt, but also insurance payroll and maintenance items, according to Joe Roeger, the treasurer for Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge Corporation.

"It's all being done according to the statute," Joe said. "So when we're debt-free and we've satisfied all of our obligations, it's turned over to MoDOT, then we dissolve and go away. Our job is done in a sort of 'Mission Accomplished.'"

Joe Roeger says he expects traffic to increase once vehicles can cross for free. He predicted it might go up 15 to 20% right away, but it could increase further with improvements on MM and TT.

"This move will greatly impact the west side," he said. "You can already see it with folks involved in real estate. Developments have gone up and increased the interest in that area."

Joe Roeger emphasized this process is the first of its kind in Missouri. The Missouri Transportation Corporation Act of 1990 made it possible for a corporation to pull off a project like the Community Bridge.

"We are cutting new ice and following guidance from the statute," he said. "Once it's turned over to Missouri, they cannot charge tolls without a vote of the people changing the constitution."

Those who hold a toll bridge card can request refunds at any time, Joe Roeger said. After tolls are terminated, refunds will be processed as soon as possible.