The Baldwin County Bridge Company, in a news release Friday, said it was increasing the toll rate to use its bridge in Orange Beach from $2.75 to $5. The rate change is effective Wednesday.
The toll plaza at the Foley Beach Express bridge on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. The plaza's owner, the Baldwin County Bridge Company - a subsidiary of American Roads LLC - is battling the Alabama Department of Transportation in a condemnation lawsuit for a portion of the bridge. The lawsuit is related to ALDOT's interests in building a new bridge to the west of the toll plaza.
According to the statement, “BCBC had proposed to build a new span and provide a four-lane bridge for the citizens of Baldwin County to use for free, but refused to even consider that proposal. Now, as a result of the actions taken by Director Cooper, BCBC has been forced to increase the toll rates on the Beach Express Bridge.”The increase for cash/debit card rate is from $2.75 per trip to $5.
“We’ve done everything we can to be a good neighbor, keep our tolls low, and provide safe and efficient travel options for drivers in Coastal Alabama,” the statement says. “We’ve also taken pride in the fact that our business provides jobs for dozens of Alabama residents who provide excellent service to our customers.”
The Alabama Supreme Court, in its ruling, pointed to the 122-year-old State Constitution for giving Cooper “absolute immunity” from being sued in his official capacity as a state agency director. BCBC, about one year ago, pushed for Cooper to consider an alternative proposal that would have prohibited new bridge construction for about 50 years, but also included waiving toll fees for county residents. After Cooper rejected their proposal, the company sued the director in his official capacity as ALDOT’s director.
Belitsky, also on Friday, vowed to continue pursuing an inverse condemnation claim against ALDOT, which the Supreme Court ruling does not prevent. That claim is expected to go before a Montgomery County court later this fall, and could provide a financial remedy to BCBC for valuation damages to its toll bridge with the construction of the new bridge in Gulf Shores.said she hopes the “courts stay in their lane” when it comes to the infrastructure issue.
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