Bridge toll increase kicks in Monday

As of Monday, it will cost you more to drive over the Halifax Harbour.

The first toll increase in a decade for the MacKay and Macdonald bridges kicks in January 3.

Those paying cash will have to dig out another quarter from their purses and pockets to throw $1.25 in the bin.

MACPASS users will be charged $1 instead of 80 cents.

There's also a 25 per cent per axle increase for commercial vehicles, with the exception of public transit.

The extra cash will fund a 10-year capital, rehabilitation and maintenance plan for the aging bridges.

That plan includes several projects, including a new bridge toll collection system, along with the early stages of planning and designing a replacement for the MacKay Bridge.

That bridge's deck system is nearing the end of its expected service life. 

A feasibility study last year proposed several options for its replacement, the preferred being a new six-lane replacement bridge with two active transportation lanes.