TNB tolls are accounted for in a separate account within the state treasury that is dedicated to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. All spending is appropriated by the legislature and monitored by the Office of Financial Management. Toll rates are set by the Transportation Commission. Interest is accrued on toll revenue; however, the interest that accrues is dedicated to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge account. All toll revenue and interest earnings in the Tacoma Narrows Bridge account go towards paying the debt on bonds (PDF 16.8KB) used to finance construction of the bridge and for paying ongoing operating and maintenance costs. Toll revenues are deposited daily, and day to day activities are managed by WSDOT. RCW 47.56.165 includes more information.
During the first five months of operation:
- an average of $87,000 each day has been collected in electronic and cash tolls
- approximately 58% of every toll is used to make the bond payments (PDF 16.4KB) used for construction of the bridge.
- 42% is allocated for the toll operations contract; WSDOT oversight; maintenance and preservation; enforcement; and insurance
WSDOT Budget Information
The 2008-09 Biennium Budget (PDF 19.9KB) enacted by the legislature includes $41,882,000 to pay for debt service and $28,218,000 for the two-year period to pay for the maintenance and operation of the bridge. The Governor’s proposed 2008 Supplemental Budget (PDF 19.8KB) requests includes a $5.3 million supplemental request for costs related to the processing and fulfillment of over 200,000 Good To Go! transponder orders, four times the expected amount. The budget proposal also calls a total of $3.2 in budget reductions in staff, consultant contract cuts, and the tow truck program.
Available Financial Reports: