To paraphrase Sally Field: You like it. You really like it.
The new Tacoma Narrows bridge, that is. Or at least the more relaxed commute that comes with having extra lanes of traffic and vehicles all going the same direction over each bridge.
The general consensus seems to be that the toll – $3, or $1.75 for vehicles with transponders – is a fair price to pay for the greater convenience and safety.
No longer must rush-hour drivers routinely plan on sitting in traffic for an indefinite amount of time. A fender-bender doesn’t snarl up traffic for miles in each direction. And the Friday-afternoon commute from Tacoma to the Gig Harbor Peninsula is no longer a bladder-challenging, stop-and-go nightmare.
In fact, commuting over the bridges has been so smooth since the second span opened July 16 that some drivers initially reported they weren’t sure what to do with all the extra time on their hands. Presumably they’ve figured out something by now.
The greatest benefit of the second bridge is the fact that two-way traffic is a thing of the past. Having one-way traffic on each span has virtually put an end to “scared-stiff” slowdowns. Many drivers were spooked by traffic coming right at them with only a skimpy barrier dividing the opposing lanes of traffic. So they’d slow down, which added to crossing times and exacerbated backups.
More importantly, one-way traffic means no more of the head-on collisions that too often killed motorists and could bring bridge traffic to a halt for hours, spilling over into adjacent neighborhoods. The volume of accidents has been so low that the state Department of Transportation is getting rid of the standby tow truck stationed near the bridges.
While bridge commuters seem almost giddy about how much smoother their crossings are now, many are rightly concerned that too much of what they’re paying in tolls is going toward routine operation and law enforcement costs. This means the bridge won’t be paid off as quickly as it otherwise might be.
That could change. The state Transportation Commission will take public comment on toll revenue uses at its next meeting (see box), which citizen toll advisory committee members will attend. And the Legislature will review the bridge budget in the next session.
The goal should be to get the bridge paid off with all deliberate speed. After all, the only thing better than a smooth commute would be a free, smooth commute.
Bridge meeting
The state Transportation Commission will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in Gig Harbor City Hall, 3510 Grandview St.
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