State Transportation Commission Holds Public Meeting for TNB Toll Rate
Posted 5.16.07

Transportation Commission Office - PO Box 47308 - Olympia, WA 98504-7308
360-705-7070

Date: May 16, 2007

OLYMPIA – Future users of the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge (TNB) will have an opportunity to comment on the Washington State Transportation Commission’s proposed rule that establishes the toll amounts, toll exemptions and other related administrative guidelines. A public meeting is being held on Tuesday, May 22 at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street, Gig Harbor from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Commission is required by law to set tolls for the TNB at a level adequate to pay back the bonds issued for the construction, maintenance and operations of the bridge. The revenue collected is kept in a separate account and does not pay for other Washington State Department of Transportation projects or operations. To meet this mandate, the Commission is proposing toll rates of $3 for cash customers and a $1.75 toll for drivers with a Good To Go! electronic transponder. In addition, the proposal would allow local law enforcement and local emergency service providers to cross the bridge for free when responding to or returning from emergency calls. Non-emergency trips would be subject to the applicable toll. Washington State Patrol vehicles assigned to the portion of State Route 16 corridor that includes the TNB would be granted a toll exemption. View the full text of the proposed rule (pdf 142 kb).

The purpose of the public meeting is to give citizens an opportunity to provide input on the proposed rule. The Commission will not take any formal action at this meeting. People wishing to testify will asked to keep their comments to three minutes to ensure that all in attendance have the opportunity to speak, and to limit their testimony to the subject of the proposed rule and its content. Written comments will also be accepted.

On June 5, the Commission will hold a public hearing in Gig Harbor. Public testimony will be taken at this hearing and the Commission plans to take final action on the proposed rule. The June 5 public hearing will be held at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, Council Chambers, from 1 to 3 p.m. The rule becomes part of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and if adopted on June 5 would become effective on July 5.

Good To Go! is a prepaid electronic toll collection system that uses a small transponder adhered to the inside of a vehicle's windshield. The transponder is read by an antenna mounted over the roadway. Each time a vehicle approaches the toll collection area, the antenna reads the transponder and the system automatically debits the toll from the Good To Go! customer’s prepaid account, allowing the driver to maintain highway speeds.

The Washington Transportation Commission is an independent state agency whose seven citizen members are appointed by the Governor. The Commission has authority for setting ferry fares and highway tolls.

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