Skip Top Navigation

You are here: Home > Tolling > Tacoma Narrows Bridge Tolling

Tacoma Narrows Bridge - Citizen Advisory Committee

Citizen Advisory Committee 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 Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC). 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 WSTC. The toll rates adopted become part of Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and require hearings both initially and each time they change.

CAC Members include:

  • Alan Weaver (chair), Gig Harbor
  • Chris Myers (vice chair), Gig Harbor
  • Melody Griggs, Gig Harbor
  • Jim Pasin, Gig Harbor
  • Ron Jones, Gig Harbor
  • Ted Hilliard, Tracyton
  • Amy Igloi, Port Orchard
  • Jay Stricherz, University Place (effective June 5, 2012)
  • Bruce Beckett, Gig Harbor (effective June 7, 2012)


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 WSTC. 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 WSTC opening toll rates of $3 for cash toll payers and $1.75 for those with electronic Good To Go! accounts. Those rates were ultimately approved by the WSTC and were entered into the WAC.

Setting New Toll Rates

The WSTC sets toll rates that allow for the possibility of changing toll rates in the future. The CAC will continue to make recommendations to the WSTC in keeping with its advisory role. Any toll rates proposed by the WSTC in the future must be reviewed by the CAC prior to being finalized.

FY 2009

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 recommendation of a $2.75 Good To Go! electronic toll and $4 manual toll to the WSTC in early March, and these toll rates were adopted by the WSTC on May 27, 2008. The new toll rates took effect July 1, 2008 on the Narrows Bridge.

FY 2010

In October 2008, the CAC again met to begin the toll recommendation process for Fiscal Year 2010. On Dec. 2, 2008, the CAC recommended retaining the current $2.75 toll for Good To Go! customers and a $4 toll for cash payers through at least June 30, 2010. The CAC strongly focused on keeping a discount for electronic toll users, while still ensuring sufficient revenue to meet the financial obligations for debt repayment and toll operations.

The CAC's recommendations were presented to the WSTC on Dec. 16, 2008 and again in March 2009. If the WSTC had decided not to accept the CAC's recommendation, they may re-recommend toll rates back to the CAC for further discussion.

The WSTC responded to the CAC's toll rate recommendation during their March 2009 meeting with a re-recommendation to the CAC of a $3.25 rate for Good To Go! users and $4 for cash toll payers. The CAC met April 2, 2009 to further discuss the WSTC's recommendation. With a vote of 6-2, the CAC decided to maintain their original recommendation of a $2.75 rate for Good To Go! customers and a $4 rate for cash payers. This recommendation was presented back to the WSTC on April 22, 2009 and approved.

FY 2011

The CAC met several times during November and December 2009 to analyze traffic data and revenue forecasts and made their recommendation Dec. 1, 2009. The committee recommended that the WSTC keep electronic toll rates across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge at the current $2.75 toll and increase the manual toll to $5 for cash payers beginning July 1, 2010. The CAC's recommendations were presented to the WSTC on Dec. 16, 2009. The WSTC voted to keep the current toll rates through June 2011. The toll rates will remain $2.75 for Good To Go! customers and $4 for cash paying customers.

FY 2012

The CAC met several times during January, February, and March 2012 to analyze financial scenarios and revenue forecasts and made their recommendation to the WSTC on March 20, 2012. The CAC recommended the WSTC increase the Good To Go! pass toll rate from $2.75 to $3.65, increase the cash toll from $4 to $5 and increase the Pay By Mail toll rate from $5.50 to $7. The WSTC adopted the following toll rate increases effective July 1, 2012: $4 for Good To Go! customers, $5 for cash customers and $6 for Pay By Mail customers.
_______________________________________________________

CAC Meeting Materials


Submit Comments to the CAC

Public comments may be submitted to the CAC members online.
All CAC meetings are open to the public.


 

Copyright WSDOT © 2013