The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge
 It’s
Up!
It’s Open!
And it’s “Good to Go!”
After five years of construction, the new Tacoma Narrows
Bridge opened to more than 60,000 pedestrians July 15 – and
to the first of an estimated 90,000 cars per day for the
morning commute July 16.
The impressive span is an obvious link between the Gig
Harbor peninsula and Tacoma – and a not so obvious link
between the past and the future of transportation in
Washington.
Many may recognize the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge is the
only toll road in Washington, but what many may not realize
is that tolls are not new to our state, or unique to the
Tacoma Narrows.
The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge is the 15th bridge in
Washington to use tolls to finance its construction – the
first since tolls were lifted from the Hood Canal Bridge
nearly 20 years ago.
But the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge is also an innovative
trend-setter – incorporating new technologies to keep the
traffic flowing safely and efficiently.
Drivers crossing the new bridge’s “older sister” had to
stop and pay 50 cents – each way – when the westbound span
opened in 1950. Adjusted for 57-years of inflation, that
round-trip fare would be $6.02 today – more than twice the
new bridge’s toll of $3.
But even more of a bargain is the possibility of paying
that toll without the hassle of having to stop at a toll
booth.
By setting up a pre-paid “Good to Go” account and
mounting an electronic transponder to their windshield,
drivers get the double benefit of bypassing the tollbooth
and crossing the Narrows at a reduced fare of $1.75.
Meanwhile, there’s no chance of scofflaws bypassing the
toll booths and getting across the Narrows without paying
their fair share. The same technology that allows “Good to
Go” customers cross without stopping will catch those who
try to cross without paying.
And, when would-be freeloaders get caught, they’ll be
helping to pay off the bonds that financed the building of
the bridge, thanks to
Senate Bill 5391.
Sponsored by Sen. Derek
Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, to ease the cost of tolls on
the new bridge, the bill requires a portion of penalties
paid for toll violations to be transferred into the Narrows
Bridge Tolling Account. The measure establishes a penalty of
$40 plus “three times the toll” for those who cross the
bridge without paying the toll. The “three times the toll”
portion of the fine will now be deposited into the tolling
account.
“Every dollar we can add to the tolling account will
reduce the amount of money honest drivers must pay in
tolls,” Kilmer said. “It’s only fair that those who pay the
tolls should get a break from at least some of the money
from the fines paid by toll violators.”
Senate Democrats understand Washington needs to make
investments in our transportation infrastructure to keep our
people moving and our economy growing. By using innovative
new approaches to leverage technology, we’re working to make
transportation in Washington more efficient than ever.
Photos courtesy of the
Washington State
Department of Transportation.
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