Question

There are several bridges along highway 280 which are free to ride on. This bridge was built and is being maintained by the government... not the "free" market. Let's think about why that is the case... The economic logic of government ownership and having a marginal price of 0 (that is, it is free to cross the bridge) is:

Answer 1

The bridge 's owner has a natural monopoly, and the marginal production cost (letting another car drive through it) is close to nil.

Step-by-step explanation:

Since building several bridges to compete is inefficient, but building one bridge at a lower average cost to customers would be effective. If the private monopolist builds the bridge it can charge customers exceptionally high prices.

There is a high fixed cost involved with constructing a bridge. Hence constructing a bridge is a mere privilege. Furthermore, there is no extra cost to allow another car to cross the bridge. It means that the marginal cost is zero or closer.