Bridge staff outline options to address insufficient-fund crossings and update committee on major bridge projects

Bridge operations staff reported to the advisory committee that the number of insufficient-fund incidents and unpaid "u-turn" crossings rose in March, and presented several enforcement options including raising the insufficient-fund penalty (examples given from $100 to $250 or $500), tiered penalties for repeat offenses, suspending accounts after repeated violations and continuing to let vehicles cross while pursuing collections.

Staff said the current toll system does not yet support automatic overdraft alerts or immediate rejection at remote signage points without a substantial upgrade; they noted a planned system modernization that would require investment (staff cited a figure of about $24,000,000 as the amount needed to upgrade the toll system vendor platform). Committee members emphasized the operational cost of forcing u-turns and the desire to limit traffic disruption; several members favored keeping the $100 fee with a daily cap (example proposal: $100 per negative crossing with a $500 daily cap).

Staff also provided project updates: the World Trade Bridge environmental assessment is under review by FHWA and construction remains targeted for January 2027 if approvals and funding proceed; Columbia bridge design is advancing, consultants are refining costs and the presence of the border wall in the project footprint may require additional adjustments and potential added costs if sections must be removed or redesigned. Staff reiterated the need for grant-seeking and coordination with CBP and federal partners to keep projects on track.

The committee asked staff to return with a formal recommendation on insufficient-fund enforcement — including a recommended fee, a maximum per-account cap and proposed operational changes that minimize lane delays — and to provide detailed project cost breakdowns and schedules for the bridge expansions.