EAGLE PASS, Texas — The Eagle Pass Bridge Board of Trustees on Oct. 27 debated proposals to change passenger tolls and expressed support for recommending a compromise rate to the mayor and city council.

City staff told trustees that the bridge system now brings in roughly $19 million a year, passes about $17 million to city operations and retains approximately $2 million for bridge operations. Staff said the city invested about $4 million to install a new toll system and estimates $700,000 to $1 million in annual maintenance for the state-of-the-art equipment.

"We began the implementation of a new toll system that cost us about $4,000,000 to invest in infrastructure or equipment that is reliable and dependable," staff presenter Mr. Valderas said. He described service disruptions during recent equipment installation that produced long backups on Garrison Street and said additional revenue is needed to maintain lanes, replace booths and fund multimillion-dollar projects.

Trustees discussed several options for noncommercial users. Staff noted the current budget was set assuming a $4 rate for ExpressCard holders and $4 for cash users; lowering the proposed rate now would require budget amendments and spending cuts. Board members and staff debated alternatives including a $3.50 ExpressCard rate, a $4/$5 card/cash compromise, and keeping the current $4/$4 structure.

At the meeting, trustees signaled support for sending a recommendation to council that would set passenger rates at $4 for ExpressCard/toll-tag users and $5 for cash users as a compromise to encourage adoption of the toll tag. Staff said it would assist users with enrollment and reload options, including an auto-reload feature and in-person help at the bridge office; staff also described plans for on-site enrollment events at local retail locations.

Residents and trustees raised adoption concerns: staff reported roughly 30% of residents hold cards but only about 18%–19% actively use them, and inventory shortages have limited immediate distribution. "I've had my card for four years. I just have never used it because I don't have money in it," a resident commenter said during public comment. Staff replied that new auto-reload and credit-link features and expanded express lanes are intended to make the system more useful.

Staff outlined near-term projects tied to passenger fees: adding an express-lane access on Garrison Street to route traffic directly to Bridge 1, a re-striping and construction project staff estimated at about $300,000; replacing toll booths (about $250,000 per booth); and adding a second express lane at Bridge 1. Staff said those investments aim to reduce local congestion and preserve downtown access during peak periods.

No formal vote on toll changes was recorded at the meeting. Instead, staff said it would record trustees' comments and present the board's recommendation to mayor and city council at the next council meeting.

Trustees asked staff to provide follow-up information and to notify them of the exact recommendation that will be forwarded. Staff said it would circulate updates by the board's group chat and present the item to council the following Tuesday.