TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Transportation officials are hopeful there won’t be a toll increase on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge until 2012 despite lower than hoped revenues.
The News Tribune of Tacoma says revenues on the bridge fell $1.2 million short of expectations in the 2010 fiscal year. That has led to talk of raising the fee to cross the bridge for 2011.
But state transportation commission member Richard Ford says the short-term outlook is promising, giving hope that the 2011 rates will remain flat. Future budgets aren’t as promising, leading to the belief rates will go up in 2012.
It currently costs $4 for passenger vehicles to cross; $2.75 with an electronic tolling transponder.
Nearly 14.3 million cars crossed the bridge during the 2010 fiscal year and revenue was at $47 million, including $45 million from tolls.
