Bridge toll meeting Tuesday, state treasurer will attend
Posted by Nate Hulings on February 3rd, 2010
Here’s the news release from the state Department of Transportation:
GIG HARBOR – The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, to review the toll rates proposed last month by the Washington State Transportation Commission.
Last December, the advisory committee recommended maintaining the current Good To Go! electronic toll rate of $2.75 and increasing the manual toll rate from the current rate of $4 to $5 for cash payers beginning summer 2010.
After considering the committee’s recommendation, the Transportation Commission proposed, on January 20, raising the Good To Go! electronic toll rate to $3.25 and the cash toll rate to $5.00. The Commission made this proposal following a request by the Washington State Treasurer to ensure sufficient funding reserves. The Commission’s hope is that tolls could remain at this level for three years, while still maintaining a healthy reserve.
The Washington State Treasurer, James L. McIntire, will attend to discuss recommendations on reserve amounts. Members of the Washington State Transportation Commission will present their proposed toll rate.
As required by statute, the advisory committee will review the proposed rate increase and report back on its recommendation at the Commission’s mid-February meeting. The Transportation Commission is planning to finalize proposed toll rates in March, with public meetings to follow.
The advisory committee is a governor-appointed nine-member committee that makes toll rate recommendations to the Washington State Transportation Commission. Committee members include: Caroline Belleci, University Place; Melody Griggs, Gig Harbor; Ted Hilliard, Tracyton; Ron Jones, Gig Harbor; Sonja Morgan, Tacoma; Chris Myers, Gig Harbor; Jim Pasin, Gig Harbor; and Alan Weaver, Gig Harbor. There is currently one vacant position on the committee.
For more information on Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls and Washington state tolling, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/tolling.