OLDTOWN — While those who use the Oldtown Bridge understand the need for upgrades, they hope a monthly pass will remain in place for regular users of the bridge.
Tina Rapson is one of the leaders of a petition drive asking to keep a monthly pass in place for the bridge. Rapson said more than 325 signatures have been obtained on the petition.
“We’re not petitioning against the raise (in fees), but for the monthly passes,” Rapson said.
Eliminating the passes is “not fair to the people who use the bridge every day,” Rapson said. “We just want to present our side.”
A column by those hoping to retain the monthly pass was published in the Times-News on Nov. 29.
Rapson said she has been using the bridge for 25 to 30 years.
If the tolls are raised without a monthly pass discount, the cost of using the bridge will rise from $14 a month to $80 to 90 a month, Rapson said.
About 100 people showed up at a Nov. 5 hearing at Oldtown Old School, Rapson said.
The owner of the bridge has petitioned the Maryland Public Service Commission for an increase in tolls to pay for much-needed repairs and raises for herself and employees.
Without the repairs, the bridge’s future could be in doubt, the owner has said.
The company that owns the bridge, Historic Oldtown Bridge Preservation LLC, has filed for a rate increase with the Maryland Public Service Commission.
PSC staff agreed with the need for rate increases, but recommended smaller in-creases than those requested by the bridge’s owners.
The current rates are 50 cents for cars and pickup trucks, 25 cents for motorcycles and $2 for tractor-trailers and buses.
Lori Roberts, the CEO of the company that owns the bridge, asked for $2 for cars and pickups, $1 for motorcycles and $8 for buses and tractor-trailers.
PSC staff have recommended rates of $1.50 for automobiles and trucks, 50 cents for motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles and $2.50 for buses and tractor-trailers.
Among the more significant changes if the request is granted would be the elimination of a monthly pass, currently $14.
Roberts said the company is operating in “crisis mode” and cannot afford the discounted monthly rate. The PSC staff agreed with the elimination of the monthly pass. An administrative law judge will make the final decision, though.
The bridge is the only privately owned and operated toll bridge in Maryland and crosses the Potomac River between Oldtown and Green Spring, W.Va. Concrete pedestals support the wooden bridge, according to the bridge’s website.
About 200,000 vehicles cross the bridge in a year, according to tollroad news.com.
The bridge is important because it is the only river crossing for “approximately 15 miles in either direction, and closure of the bridge results in long detours for residents on both sides of the river,” said Jennifer Brekke-Miles of the PSC.
The bridge is in poor condition and money is not available for needed repairs, said Roberts. She added that the substructure of the bridge is in bad shape as well.
The substructure “consists of timber beam seats, abutments and wing walls, and piers,” Roberts said in her PSC testimony supporting the rate increase. “Five abutments, all the timber beam seats and the entire decking needs to be replaced.
Documents filed in the case may be viewed on the PSC website by searching for case number 9296.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.
Latest news
Related Photos
-
A car travels across the Oldtown Bridge on Saturday. While those who use the Oldtown Bridge understand the need for upgrades, they hope a monthly pass will remain in place for regular users of the bridge. Lori Roberts, CEO of the company that owns the bridge, has asked for an increase to $2 for cars and pickups, $1 for motorcycles and $8 for buses and tractor-trailers. Steve Bittner/Times-News
Drivers seek monthly pass for Oldtown Bridge
Regular travelers start a petition drive
- Latest news
-
-
911 workers will see a pay increase
County emergency dispatchers will see increases in pay for the next three years under a contract signed by workers and Allegany County Thursday evening.
-
Some area pools set to open this weekend
The arrival of the Memorial Day weekend also means the unofficial start of the summer season — and a chance to go swimming at area pools.
-
County: Increase in water rates planned
Many customers in Allegany County will likely see a small increase in their water and sewer rates during the upcoming fiscal year.
-
Rocky Gap Casino Resort flush with visitors; 1,000 estimated on first day
Nearly 300 people were waiting outside and in the lobby Wednesday when Rocky Gap Casino Resort officials emerged at about 4 p.m. to announce they had received a call from the Maryland gaming commission that they were approved to open.
-
Live music takes center stage at 6th DelFest
With more than 30 musical acts set to take the stage at the 6th annual DelFest this weekend, now might be a good time to let folks know about some of the bands that will headline this four-day music festival.
-
Bear in tree
A crew from the Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service successfully removed a young female bear from a tree in South Cumberland Thursday morning, eventually releasing the bruin on state-owned land in Allegany County.
-
Frostburg adopts $9.7M budget, keeps alley open
The Frostburg mayor and city council have voted to adopt a $9.7 million budget for fiscal year 2014 and to keep open an alley that many citizens feared would be closed by the city.
-
6th annual DelFest has arrived
Thirty national recording artists are preparing to step into the Cumberland spotlight this weekend at the Allegany County Fairgrounds as DelFest rolls into town for its sixth annual musical festival.
- Rocky Gap casino opens
-
‘Time just kind of stood still’
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots down to bare red earth and claimed 24 lives, including those of nine children.
- More Latest news Headlines
-
911 workers will see a pay increase
