Lower Tolls Vs. Preserving Heritage: What's More Important In Narrows Bridge Name Debate?

The Chuck E. Cheese Bridge.

The thought of it might prompt a few chuckles, but lawmakers who were discussing a bill intended to slow increasing toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge this week questioned whether such a name could be a distinct possibility.

The News Tribune's Melissa Santos had a great story today about 26th District Rep. Jan Angel, a Port Orchard Republican, introducing a measure that would allow for the right to rename state transportation structures for a fee.

(Click here to read the TNT's story)

Anyone who lives west of the Narrows Bridge knows the story. Tolls have increased since the new bridge opened, and they're scheduled to increase at a steady rate.

To slow that increase and help local wallets, Angel is proposing a plan that would provide drivers some relief.

But not all lawmakers are feeling our financial pain, or at least are willing to jeopardize the region's heritage to ease it. Tacoma Democrat Jake Fey told the newspaper that he was concerned about losing our heritage for commercialization.

Mercer Island Rep. Judy Clibborn, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee, told the newspaper that she fears a loss of community identity.

It's interesting how the views of local lawmakers are shaped by which side of the water on which they live.

So we ask you, Gig Harbor Patch users, what do you think? Is selling the naming rights to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and other transportation structures worth lower tolls? Tell us in the comments.