Linden faces mounting financial strain as bridge toll revenue disappears

By Mark DaCosta- In a press release issued on August 28, 2026, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) called on the Government to urgently compensate the Linden Municipality for revenue lost after the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge was made toll-free. The APNU said the Government’s failure to address the resulting financial shortfall is placing essential municipal services at risk and raising serious questions about its responsibility to properly fund local authorities.

According to the APNU, the abolition of tolls on the bridge, effective 1 August 2025, has led to a drastic and disruptive financial shortfall for the Town Council, with an estimated loss of around G$77 million annually. This figure has bloated even further, with the Mayor’s recent reports indicating potential yearly deficits reaching between G$90 million and G$100 million. The coalition expresses concern that such revenue loss cannot be sustained without dire consequences, warning that the effects are already visible through deteriorating public services, including waste management, sanitation, and health services.

The press release emphasises that while APNU does not oppose the toll-free policy aimed at affording relief to commuters, this must not occur at the expense of Linden’s financial viability. They argue that it is unjust for a national policy to burden local resources without providing compensatory mechanisms. Mayor Dominique Blair has highlighted how rising operating costs are exacerbating the already strained budget, leading to serious impacts on the municipality’s ability to function effectively. The concern extends to basic public health implications, with poor waste management creating increased public health risks.