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from Diane....

Thanks Diane and Marty. That picture is priceless and I have saved it. With the bridge AND the new road, I'll consider it a well spent toll.

Yes; the new system is crazy. I used to buy tickets $20.00 U.S. at a time and peel one off each time I crossed the bridge. The reason given is that some people lost the tickets and had to buy them again. Not only does it slow traffic; it creates more temptation to steal as I now just hand them the money and just keep going.

Ah - the memories --- and the stories.

The pull ferry toll was the same as the bridge toll now is. The difference was we paid $5 BZ each way and it closed from 8:00PM till 6:00 AM. After hours there may or may not be guys hanging around who would take you across for whatever they could take you for. Monthly passes were $150 BZ.

The pull ferry could hold 4 standard sized golf cart or two golf carts and a bunch of bicycles OR 50 bikes with riders. Well maybe not 50 but it seemed like it.

During morning rush hour, noon to 1:00 and 4:00 to 5:00 it would be next to impossible for a golf cart to get on. They were supposed to allow two golf carts on then pedestrians then bikes. HA HA HA At times the police were even there trying to keep order.

I had not overcome all of my type A personality and I spent many frustrated times there trying to CONTROL the situation. The workmen would just laugh at me and crowd ahead. One time so many loaded on going into town that the tenders could not push off from the bottom AND no one would get off to lighten the load. Finally the two tenders got in the water and pushed and pulled until they broke it free.

Another time I had my camera and said I was taking pictures for the newspaper and about half the guys hid their faces (no one ever checked for illegals).

remembers the Hammock House? There was a Keno type board where you could place a bet for what date the next golf cart would go in the drink.

When the tide was high the plywood plank that they laid down as an on ramp would be very steep. One day while trying to climb it my cart kept rolling backwards. Everyone was yelling "gun it". After several tries I shot up onto the ferry and hit the golf cart that was already on it. It shot forward and fortunately some big guys caught it while only the front wheels were hanging over the water.

Many of us who lived north of the bridge fought having it built. We knew what would happen no matter how many promised were made. They absolutely swore that nothing bigger than a golf card would be allowed. How long did that last?
Back then all the resorts transported their guest by boat. Ah, but we are attracting a whole different type of tourist then.

How much more colorful that was than an air conditioned, tinted windowed SUV taxi. As I sit by my pound and watch them go by gawking out the windows I feel like they are on safari and I am the wild life.

Believe it was Bob...of the Cloisters that started the 'tow ferry' and Bowen who put up the money for the Bridge.

The bar that was on the north side of the bridge had a contest on when the next golf cart would fall off of the ferry.

Pls feel free to 'correct' any errors.

Agree Diane, the cost is too high. And a known fact that not everyone who should be paying the same amount, is paying their share! It sure is an added cost to living North of the Bridge

Most residents pay monthly for a pass. Shortly after the officer at the bridge recognizes you as a monthly pass buyer and waves you through without stopping. This helps with the smooth flow of traffic at the bridge.
You can purchase the pass quickly and easy at the cashiers window upstairs at the Town Board.
My motorcycle pass is $25. bz per month.

Disagree cost is too high. I could be persuaded the funds could/should be used for the bridge itself - but less than US$2.50 day for residents is a decent price to pay for a Bridge over the Hand Ferry - which cost the same as the toll btw.

Believe Bob of Cloister fame stated that the toll was the highest per distance in the World.

Ok, Phil ......
Kind of an elitist remark, but ..... what do you expect?
I concur with GBS39 ..... and infer that the bridge toll is ridiculous.
The ferry idea is cool .... drop the fee some; make it worthwhile.

RobertJ. Not following you. I am far from elitist if that's your drift. What do I expect? Nothing is free, Sir.

Cyclists and pedestrians however are free to cross, so low income folk and the huge Northern workforce aren't affected - other than positively in being easily able to cross the river at any time. Those who can afford a vehicle can afford a pittance of a toll. I'd actually like to see the toll added to one of the permits for vehicles so we don't need a bridge supervision. You'd be really upset if the bridge closed due to lack of funds for repairs and a Private addition while welcome added a new expenditure on maintenance which is probably reactive rather than preventative but we're in the Third World.

The bridge was built with private funds and the toll was to repay the loan. As noted earlier it is the same as it was to cross on the hand ferry and vastly superior if less fun. Initially, I believe, the toll was to stop being collected when the loan was repaid which it has been. SPTC kept it as it is clearly a good money earner. I think it is good value especially with a road to go with it which may or may not be linked. The Ferry was a nightmare at busy times, almost impossible to get on when the construction crews all knocked off and an hour wait was not unheard of.