Lawsuit Filed Against Independence Bridge Operator Alleging Illegal Tolls

For Immediate Release | March 04, 2025
https://olcplc.com/public/media?1741129413

A toll too soon is a bridge too far!

Outside Legal Counsel PLC, together with Garske Hewitt PLC, today filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of drivers who were forced to pay an allegedly illegal bridge-toll when crossing the Independence Bridge in Bay City, Michigan starting January 1, 2025.

On March 4, 2025, the law firms of Garske Hewitt PLC and Outside Legal Counsel PLC filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of drivers who were forced to pay a bridge-toll when crossing the Independence Bridge in Bay City, Michigan starting January 1, 2025. The lawsuit, filed in the Bay County Circuit Court, alleges that UBP Bay City LLC (who operates under the name of Bay City Bridge Partners) acts as the private operator of Independence Bridge and began prematurely collecting tolls despite prior public statements and contractual commitments that tolling would not start until all bridge repairs were complete. The lawsuit names the bridge company and the City of Bay City.

According to the complaint, the bridge operating company was not supposed to start collecting tolls until it had completed "the upgrade, modernization and all rehabilitation work" in accordance with the lease agreement with the City of Bay City and be continuously open and operational for use by the public for highway purposes, 24 hours a day, in the ordinary course for thirty consecutive (30) days."

Yet, starting January 1, Bridge Partners required toll payments while repair work was alleged to have remained incomplete. The lawsuit lists out daily bridge closures throughout February 2025 and claims more are expected in March 2025. News accounts confirm the same.

The lawsuit asks a Bay County judge to order reimbursement of all tolling fees collected.

"A promise made is supposed to be a promise kept," states OLC attorney Philip L. Ellison. "Full reimbursement is being sought for the drivers forced to make early toll payments. Taking bridge-toll money was not lawful and it isn't fair."

Attorney Matthew Hewitt of Garske Hewitt PLC further explained that "with the filing of this lawsuit against Bay City Bridge Partners (BCBP) and the City of Bay City, we seek not just justice for those who have been wronged, but to prevent the economic harm that is already affecting our local residents and the far-reaching devastation that will occur if this continues unchecked."

This new lawsuit is the next in line of several well-known cases brought by the property rights, civil rights, and class action law firm located in Hemlock. OLC previously successfully ended parking tickets based on tire chalking in Saginaw and Bay City in a first of its kind class action. Other cases brought by attorney Philip Ellison have reached the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing and the United States Supreme Court in Washington DC. Class actions handled by OLC have resulted in major judicial decisions and multi-million dollar outcomes.

Drivers looking for more information are encouraged to check out the class action website at BCBridgeLawsuit.com.

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