Motorists report issues with Memorial Bridge payments

Company says education efforts are continuing

PARKERSBURG -- People are still having issues with how tolls are being processed for the Memorial Bridge.

Since reopening at the end of August, the bridge has operated with an all-electronic tolling system. The charge is $1 for a trip across for a standard passenger vehicle equipped with an MOV Pass transponder or compatible system like EZ Pass. It goes up to $4.50 if a vehicle without a transponder crosses, as the license plate is scanned and an invoice is generated and mailed to the vehicle's owner.

Eric Thacker of Parkersburg moved to the area a few years ago from California, when the toll booths were still in place. He thought 50 cents to cross a bridge was far better than anything he experienced in the San Francisco area.

But he said he recently went over the Memorial Bridge and got a bill for $24, which included $9 to cross the bridge and a $15 late fee, despite it being the first notice he received.

​"First of all, $9 to cross once is outrageous," he said. "Coming from one of the most expensive parts of the country, it seems like usury to me."

When turning onto the bridge off Main Street in Belpre, he said, drivers only have a split second to see the sign that lists the tolls and there are not too many options if they want to change their minds about crossing.

The notice he got threatened him with collections if he did not pay immediately, Thacker said. He said he was unable to get a response on the service line listed on the notice.

​"It just rings and rings and no one picks up," Thacker said.

He was not aware of the bridge office in Parkersburg at 2311 Ohio Ave., saying the address on the notice he received was in Texas.

"​I didn't know where to go," he said. "I don't think you should have to drive into town. It is 2024, a telephone should be sufficient."

With the Parkersburg-Belpre Bridge nearby and free to cross, Thacker said he doesn't see a need to use the Memorial Bridge again.

Ron Cline of Vincent said he believed he was being charged for additional trips he and his wife aren't making.

He said he received a bill for $4.50 after his wife crossed the bridge, despite having an account. He said he emailed the company from his account to report it and was informed their license plate had been entered incorrectly and the problem was resolved.

"(Recently) we got the same bill again but with a $15 penalty added," he said. "Why are they billing me again? They seem pretty sloppy."

Cline said he and his wife have gone over the bridge a number of times for months and were charged the $1 fee, with the exception of the one trip.

Cline said he only used the bridge to save time but feels like he doesn't fall behind just using the Blennerhassett Bridge, which is free to cross.

"I just avoid the (Memorial Bridge) now," he said.

Terry Velligan, general manager for operations for United Bridge Partners, on Friday said people are still having issues with getting accounts set up or crossing the bridge without a transponder sticker and being charged the full amount. Some people are still looking for a toll booth. Company employees have been explaining that difference and trying to educate the public on how the bridge operates, he said.

People can come to their office by the bridge and have their concerns addressed in person, Velligan said.

Some issues are related to people paying with checks, with payments taking seven to 10 days to clear, he said. Some people might get billed again as everything is being worked through.

In cases of people who have accounts getting charged the full amount for crossing, Velligan said the accounts might not be fully funded or their vehicle registration may be listed differently than what is on their account information. People who change their license plates or get new cars need to update their account information, he said. In one instance, someone sold their car and transferred their license plate to the new owner. When that person crossed the bridge, the original owner's account was charged.

"​We will address that," Velligan said. "The biggest message is we are here to help. If you have a question, come on down or use the online portal, message us through the email on our website.

"It is a constant education. This is new for the Mid-Ohio Valley to have all electronic tolling," he said.

Velligan recommends people come in person to the office to work out their issues.

"The message is be patient with us as we work through this process," he said.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com