Citizen Advisory Appointments
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) was appointed by the Governor (HB 1864) in 2006 to provide recommendations on toll rates to the Transportation Commission. This nine-member Committee is composed of permanent residents of the bridge area, and is required by law to make toll rate recommendations to the Transportation Commission. The toll rates adopted become part of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and require hearings both initially and each time they change.
How the Initial Toll Rate Was Set
The CAC first met in the fall of 2006 to analyze tolling options and develop recommendations on the initial toll rate to send to the Transportation Commission. They looked at several possible scenarios, based on possible traffic levels, electronic toll usage, and violation rates.
Following extensive working meetings, the CAC recommended to the Transportation Commission opening toll rates of $3.00 for cash toll payers and $1.75 for those with electronic accounts. Those rates were ultimately approved by the Commission and were entered into the Washington Administrative Code.
The current toll rates are in effect until June 30, 2008. If the Transportation Commission takes no action to change the toll rates, all vehicles (including both cash and electronic payers) will be charged $3.00 beginning July 1, 2008.
Setting New Toll Rates
The Transportation Commission sets toll rates that allow for the possibility of changing toll rates in the future. The CAC will continue to make recommendations to the State Transportation Commission in keeping with its advisory role. Any toll rates proposed by the Commission in the future must be reviewed by the CAC prior to being finalized.
The CAC began meeting in February 2008 to discuss recommended changes to the toll rates that would start with the new fiscal year on July 1, 2008. The CAC presented their reccomendation of a $2.75 electronic toll and $4.00 manual toll to the Transportation Commission in early March, with the final toll rates being adopted by the Commission in May.
Public comments may be submitted to the CAC members on-line or by mail at: TNB-CAC, 3214 50th Street Court NW, Building D-302, Gig Harbor, 98335-8583. All meetings of the Citizen Advisory Committee are open to the public.
Upcoming CAC Meetings
Tentative Meeting Schedule for 2008
February 21, 2008 (PDF 23.1KB)
Location: Gig Harbor Civic Center/Community Center
3510 Grandview Street - Gig Harbor, Wa 98335
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
February 26, 2008 (PDF 616KB)
Location: Gig Harbor Civic Center/Community Center
3510 Grandview Street - Gig Harbor, Wa 98335
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
February 28, 2008 (PDF 66.7KB)
Location: Gig Harbor Peninsula Library
4424 Point Fosdick Dr NW - Gig Harbor, Wa 98335
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
March 4, 2008 (PDF 70KB)
Location: Gig Harbor Civic Center/Community Center
3510 Grandview Street - Gig Harbor, Wa 98335
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
April 22, 2008 (PDF 14KB)
Location: Gig Harbor Civic Center/Community Center
3510 Grandview Street - Gig Harbor, Wa 98335
Time: 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.