Michigan committee hears testimony on bill to let international bridges use state registration to collect unpaid tolls

Representative Brian Posamis asked the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee to hear testimony on House Bill 4809, legislation that would let operators of international bridges in Michigan enter administrative agreements with the Michigan Secretary of State to aid in enforcing unpaid tolls.

The measure, as described by Ken Dobson, vice president of the Ambassador Bridge Company, would let international crossings use electronic tolling tied to vehicle registration information so operators can send invoices rather than rely solely on pay-at-the-booth collections.

Supporters said the change would reduce queues, truck idling and safety risks. “The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest border crossing in North America,” Dobson said, adding the crossing handles “about 4,000 cars a day and 8 to 10,000 trucks a day.” He said HB 4809 would “allow us to introduce electronic tolling at the bridge” and to work with the Secretary of State to “identify, you know, those who cross the border, so that we can send an…