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Council backs higher commercial bridge fees, keeps lower rate for express/toll‑tag users after amendment
Summary
Council approved increases to commercial axle fees and toll collection penalties at the international bridge, agreed to invest revenue in inspection booths, and amended express/toll‑tag pricing to preserve a lower rate for card users while raising the cash rate.
The City of Eagle Pass on Oct. 14 approved changes to commercial fees at the international bridge and adopted a structure intended to accelerate adoption of toll tags, while preserving a lower rate for prepay users.
Council approved raising commercial axle fees from $5.50 to $6.50 per axle and increasing cash‑lane charges to incentivize commercial drivers to use toll tags. Staff told council the additional revenue would be used to fund two additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) commercial inspection booths and related technology; the city expects to donate the funded equipment/installation to CBP but will require personnel commitments from CBP before construction is finalized.
City staff described a parallel plan for noncommercial vehicles: the council considered item language that originally proposed a different set of rates but ultimately approved an amendment keeping the express/toll‑tag user rate at $4.00 per vehicle and setting the cash payment at $6.00 per vehicle for the second reading. The amendment also asked staff to propose operational exceptions for seniors and veterans; council requested that the bridge office formalize discretionary practices for low‑income or vulnerable users and consider a reduced initial deposit option for seniors or veterans.
Staff said the city is rolling out toll tags first for commercial vehicles (target: November) and aims to onboard noncommercial users in December. City bridge staff said express cards and toll tags were in stock or arriving in quantity (shipments expected Oct. 22) and that technology for online replenishment and app‑based account management is being deployed to reduce lane delays.
Council discussion included concerns about imposing burdens on low‑income commuters who cross daily for work, health care or education. Staff said the $40 initial prepay (express) deposit covers about 10 crossings and can later be replenished in smaller amounts; staff agreed to develop a formal policy giving bridge staff limited discretion to accept smaller initial deposits for seniors or veterans and to document that policy for staff guidance.
Motions on the bridge fee items passed in two parts: council approved the commercial fee increases and related provisions for toll‑tag rollout. Later they rescinded an earlier consent‑agenda approval to pull item 3 for discussion and passed a motion to set the express/toll‑tag user charge at $4.00 and the cash rate at $6.00 for vehicles (second reading); the vote passed with council support.
