Bay City — The four bridges over the Saginaw River that connect the east and west sides of town are a part of daily life here.
They are more than functional infrastructure; they’re lifelines. But in 2021, Bay City privatized two of its bridges: Liberty and Independence. The decision stemmed from years of deferred maintenance and insufficient funds to repair and modernize these aging structures. The city sold them to a private firm, United Bridge Partners, which pledged to fund necessary renovations. These upgrades are being paid for through tolls, which started back in 2023. The bridges are still free for residents with a transponder but are $5.50 per crossing for non-transponder users and $2 per crossing for nonresidents with a transponder.
Veterans Memorial Bridge, built in 1957, remains publicly owned and toll-free. But its usage has skyrocketed since tolls were introduced on the other bridges, causing congestion.
The fourth, Lafayette Bridge, has long been a critical artery, linking both the west and east sides of the river to Middle Ground, a unique island that has residential neighborhoods, businesses, and two large public parks. Built in 1938, Lafayette Bridge is being rebuilt to address decades of wear and ensure its structural safety for years to come. The project, which began in late 2023, is expected to take over two years to complete. In an effort to minimize disruption, construction is being carried out on only part of the bridge at any given time, allowing some traffic to continue crossing.
While this approach maintains access to Middle Ground, it has already led to significant delays. Drivers find themselves stuck in backups during peak hours. For some, the detours necessary to avoid the construction zone mean traveling several miles out of the way to use Liberty or Veterans Memorial, a frustrating reality for those who regularly commute to or from Middle Ground.
The impact goes beyond traffic. Businesses on the island are concerned about reduced foot traffic, and residents worry about longer emergency response times. Meanwhile, the island’s two public parks have emptied out.
For many Bay City residents, the changes to our bridges feel like a mixed bag. While the need for repairs is undeniable, the methods—privatization, tolls, and lengthy construction timelines—have left many frustrated.
One of the most common concerns is the financial burden on residents. For people who cross Liberty or Independence daily, tolls add up quickly. A commuter making two trips per day, five days a week, could end up spending hundreds of dollars a month on tolls—a significant cost for families already dealing with inflation and other economic pressures, especially considering the median household income in Bay City is about $45,000.
Small business owners also have voiced concerns. Some worry that tolls and construction disruptions will deter customers from crossing the river to visit their shops. This is particularly concerning for businesses downtown or on Midland Street that rely on foot traffic from both sides of the city.
Residents have expressed these frustrations in public forums and city council meetings. Suggestions have included alternative funding mechanisms, such as a city millages or state grants, though these options were dismissed by officials as insufficient or politically unfeasible.
The city’s decision to privatize Liberty and Independence was driven by harsh financial realities. According to city officials, maintaining Bay City’s four bridges costs around $1 million annually—money the city simply didn’t have. With no viable options for state or federal funding, and the prospect of significant tax increases unlikely to gain public support, privatization was seen as the best of several bad options.
The deal with United Bridge Partners will fund repairs and maintenance, but the company retains the right to collect tolls for up to 75 years. While this arrangement alleviates immediate financial strain on the city, it has sparked concerns and questions about the long-term implications of privatizing public infrastructure. Can private companies improve our city while profiting off of our community? Will they follow through on their promises? If so, will they be better than our local government in the long term?
As a Bay City resident, it’s hard not to feel a sense of loss. The bridges that once connected us so freely now feel like barriers, with tolls that remind us of their cost every time we cross.
The bridges of Bay City have always been more than just structures; they’re symbols of connection, resilience, and community. I hope we can find a balance—one that honors our history while embracing the future.
Landen Taylor is a musician and explorer living in Bay City. Follow him on Instagram @landoisliving.
