Tolls on the Confederation Bridge between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick will be frozen next year.

Ottawa announced Monday that it will make a payment to the bridge operator in order to keep the rates unchanged in 2023.

“This funding will freeze toll rates for 2023 and provide Islanders and businesses with toll increase protection during ongoing challenging times,” Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said in a news release.

No details were provided about how much Strait Crossing Bridge Limited will receive from the federal government, which owns the bridge.

The toll rates on the nearly 13-kilometre bridge are adjusted each January based on inflation rates.

Federal officials said tolls were set to increase “significantly” due to continued pandemic impacts and high inflation.

According to the Confederation Bridge website, tolls are currently set at $50.25 for a two-axle vehicle and $8.50 for each additional axle, while motorcycles pay $20 to cross the bridge.

The shuttle service from one end of the bridge to the other costs pedestrians $4.75 and cyclists $9.50.

Bridge tolls are collected when leaving Prince Edward Island at the toll plaza in Borden-Carleton.