Bridge tolls rising again

The Minnesota, Dakota and Western Railway (MD&W) and the International Bridge and Terminal Co. (IB&T) announced yesterday afternoon that the price of commuter cards for passage on the international bridge between International Falls and Fort Frances will go up to $15 (U.S.), effective tomorrow (Jan. 1).
The cards had been selling for $12 (U.S.), and were valid for 12 round trips on the international bridge.

The new price of $15 (U.S.) will continue to be for 12 round trips.
However, because prices are in U.S. dollars, cards sold at the local Safeway store vary in cost according to the exchange rate.
Safeway reported yesterday that the $12 cards currently are selling for more than $15. A jump to $15 would mean the cards would go over $18 here.
Existing commuter cards ( i.e., those previously purchased) will continue to be honoured until the crossings are used up or the expiration date on the card is reached, whichever comes first.
Bill Roufs, general manager of MD&W, which operates the bridge, said the reason for the increase in rates is due to the continually increasing maintenance and insurance costs.
Bridge cards will continue to be available at Safeway here in Fort Frances, and the Super One and SuperValu grocery stores and the Holiday gas station across the river in International Falls.
This marks the second time the cards have gone up in price in the past year—they jumped $2 (U.S.) as of Jan. 1, 2008.
That had been the first time tolls were raised since 2000, when the bridge cards initially were implemented here.