Toll rates will be based on vehicle height and number of axles, which is consistent with the classification system used by the majority of other tolling systems. Initial toll rates range from $2 to $12. The lowest rates are for drivers with transponders.
“It’s important to have a system that is clear and easy to understand, meets the financial requirements of the project and works with the capabilities of the tolling system,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Greg Thomas said in the release. “We believe we’ve achieved that, while keeping in mind our local and area businesses.”
PASSENGER VEHICLES
• All 2-axle vehicles up to 7 ½ feet in height
Examples: cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, motorcycles.
Toll: With transponder: $2; with registered plate: $3; with unregistered plate: $4.
MEDIUM VEHCILES
• All 2-axle vehicles more than 7 ½ feet in height
• All 3-axle vehicles
• All 4-axle vehicles
Examples: box trucks, buses, dump trucks, concrete trucks, high-roof vans, most vehicles towing trailers
Toll: With transponder: $5; with registered plate: $6; with unregistered plate: $7.
LARGE VEHICLES
• All vehicles with five or more axles.
Examples: semi-trailer trucks, some large RVs towing a vehicle, vehicles towing 3-axle trailers.
Toll: with transponder: $10; with registered plate: $11; with unregistered plate: $12.
“The medium vehicle category is deliberately large,” said Jim Stark, deputy commissioner of innovative project delivery with the Indiana Department of Transportation. “Many of these vehicles are short-haul, regional trucks. They’re delivery and service-based and some are making numerous trips across the bridges on a daily basis.”
Businesses do not qualify for a frequent-user discount, but the more affordable toll rates in the medium vehicle category are designed to assist many businesses in the region.
TOLL POLICY AND BUSINESS RULES
Business rules include everything from initial toll rates and account management to the invoice process and nonpayment fees. Most of the information has been shared previously during a series of a dozen open houses held this year in Kentucky and Indiana.
START OF TOLLING
Tolling will begin when cross-river capacity is added to the system. That means either the improved John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge or the new East End bridge will be complete and fully open to traffic. Both are expected to happen late this year. Transponders will be available and customer service centers are expected to open by late summer.
The new Abraham Lincoln Bridge, the improved Kennedy Bridge and the new East End bridge will be tolled. The Sherman Minton Bridge and the Clark Memorial Bridge will not be tolled.