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. 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.

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 Matsuno, Port Orchard
• (Vacancy - Sonja Morgan, Tacoma resigned)
• (Vacancy - Caroline Belleci, University Place resigned)

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.

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.

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 reccomendation of a $2.75 electronic toll and $4.00 manual toll to the Transportation Commission in early March, and these toll rates were adopted by the Commission 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 December 2, 2008, the CAC recommendaed retaining the current $2.75 toll for Good To Go! customers and a $4.00 toll for cash payers through at least June 30, 2010. The committee strongly foscused on keeping a discount for electronic toll users, while still ensuring sufficient reveunue to meet the financial obligations for debt repayment and toll operations.

The CAC's recommendations were presented to the Washington State Transportation Commission in Olympia on December 16th, 2008 and again in March 2009. If the Commission decides not to accept the CAC's recommendation, they may re-recommend toll rates back to the CAC for futher discussion.

The Transportation Commission 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 $4.00 for cash toll payers. The CAC met April 2, 2009 to further discuss the Commissions recommendation. With a vote of 6-2, the CAC deicded to maitain their original recommendation of a $2.75 rate for Good To Go! customers and a $4.00 rate for cash payers. This recommendation was presented back to the Commission on April 22, 2009 and approved.

FY 2011

The CAC met several times during November and December 09 to analyze traffic data and revenue forecasts and made their recommendation Dec. 1, 09. The committee recommended that the Washington State Transportation Commission 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 will be presented to the Washington State Transportation Commission Dec. 16, 09. The Transportation Commission voted to keep the current toll rates through June 2011. The toll rates will remain $2.75 for Good To Go! customers and $4.00 for cash paying customers.
_______________________________________________________

Submit Comments to the CAC

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