The eastbound Blue Water Bridge plaza, managed by the Michigan Department of Transportation, will continue to operate without accepting cash.

This means that the bridge will permanently stick to its cashless tolling system. Back in March 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the bridge, which connects Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, stopped taking cash payments as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of exposure for bridge service staff and tolling supervisors. The decision to go cashless has proven to be effective, and currently, the Blue Water Bridge accepts the following payment methods instead:

  • Single crossing payment at the toll booth with a credit/debit card or Apple/Google Pay. 
  • Pre-paid commercial or commuter accounts are available through the bridge’s EDGE pass program, using RFID tags.

Although the Blue Water Bridge (BWB) hasn’t been accepting cash at its eastbound tolling facility since March 2020, the bridge’s leadership has decided to make this a permanent arrangement due to the positive impact it has had on tolling operations. Staff members have noted a decrease in traffic congestion and emissions, along with improved efficiency. This change will also facilitate the adoption of partial automation for tolling procedures. Moreover, this decision aligns the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Blue Water Bridge with the majority of tolling operations across the country, as more than 55 percent of them no longer accept cash.

Starting on January 1st, the MDOT BWB will no longer accept checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks, which were previously accepted to allow both U.S. and foreign account holders to add funds to their pre-paid accounts. The introduction of new tolling software eliminates the need for these payment methods and allows account holders to link a credit or debit card to their accounts. This also supports automatic re-billing, making it easier for account holders to manage their accounts seamlessly. For commercial and commuter customers, the EDGE Pass program offers the most convenient account management option.

Commuter customers, who use non-commercial vehicles with no more than two axles, enjoy a reduced toll rate. Additionally, the EDGE Pass provides commuter customers with access to a dedicated toll lane, making their toll payment process more efficient and convenient.

Both commercial and commuter account holders have 24-hour access to manage accounts online through a secure web portal. Questions regarding the EDGE Pass can be sent to MDOT-BWB-CustomerCare@Michigan.gov. Customers can apply by visiting www.BlueWaterBridge.us/.