Bay Bridge Tolls Could Increase To $9 In Near Future
A new measure that recently received unanimous support from the Bay Area Toll Authority Oversight Committee will raise tolls on the Bay Bridge to $9.
By austind03 on January 31, 2018
Drivers on the Bay Bridge may soon have to pay a lot more to cross it.
According to KCRA 3, a measure to increase the toll on the bridge to $9 just got a unanimous recommendation from the Bay Area Toll Authority Oversight Committee.
If made official, the toll would increase during the next six years, with $1 hikes in 2019, 2022, and 2025. The measure would also raise the tolls on the seven other Bay Area state-owned bridges to $8 (excluding the Golden Gate Bridge). The money earned will go toward 36 much-needed regional public transportation and roadway improvements.
Committee member James Spering spoke about the measure, saying:
“This is not an easy decision of this commission. I think everybody knows that. It’s going to be a campaign that has a lot of controversy. … We have a responsibility to look at 5, 10, 15 years down the road. These are projects the public is demanding.”
However, voters will need to approve the toll increase before it takes effect. Based on early polling, there does appear to be decent public support for the measure. A phone survey conducted in November and December of last year showed that a majority of the 4,151 likely voters approve of the measure.
Michael Cunningham, senior vice president of policy for the Bay Area Council, offered his thoughts on the measure, saying:
“You’ve got a tremendously eager public. The polls show that… The public is desperate for public transportation solutions.”
Head right here to learn more. Also, let us know in the comments if you think this toll increase is a good idea.
