Tonight: Final Public Hearing On Proposed Toll Hike For Tacoma Narrows Bridge

• WHAT: Final public hearing on Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll increase
• WHEN: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight
• WHERE: Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street. 

It's likely a foregone conclusion that tolls will go up by 25 cents each of the next two years, but residents will nonetheless get the chance to voice their thoughts on the proposed toll increase for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge tonight.

The Washington State Transportation commission is expected to vote on the proposed increase immediately following the public hearing.

If approved, the new rates would take effect July 1.

According to the state, the proposed toll rates to take effect July 1, 2013, are:

• $4.25 for Good To Go! pass
  
• $5.25 cash
• $6.25 Pay By Mail

The commission is required by law to set toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in an amount that is sufficient to pay the debt for the bridge, as well as to pay costs related to maintenance, preservation and operations of the bridge.

The bridge was financed with an escalating debt structure to minimize the initial toll rates and impact on bridge users. Debt payments started out low when the bridge opened to traffic in 2007 and are now rising steeply, requiring additional toll revenue each year to pay the escalating obligation. Over the next four fiscal years, debt-service payments grow from $45 million in 2013 to $70 million in 2017.

The commission evaluates several factors during the toll-setting process, including bridge expenses that are paid for by toll revenue, trends in traffic volumes, the schedule for bond payments, ending balances in the toll revenue account, the rate recommendations from the governor-appointed Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee and public input.