Crossing the Tacoma Narrows bridge would cost at least $1 more under proposals that a citizen panel recommended Wednesday night for further study.
The proposals would increase both cash and Good to Go electronic tolls by between $1 and less than $1.50, and pay-by-mail tolls, which started in December, by between $1.50 and $1.75.
State transportation officials will run the numbers and determine whether they generate enough money to pay the bills owed on the bridge and build a sufficient savings account.
The citizen advisory committee will study the numbers and make a recommendation to the Washington Transportation Commission, which is charged with setting tolls, on March 8.
The committee is walking a tightrope, balancing the recognition that increased tolls are a hardship for families and businesses with hard financial realities. Debt payments on the bridge are increasing, but revenue is flat because the number of cars crossing isn't also increasing, as expected.
The State Transportation Commission adopted a policy for a reserve representing at least 12.5 percent of the bridge's annual expenses.
The committee is seeking enough of a toll increase to cover that requirement through June 2013, but no more.
If the committee recommends such a rate, it guarantees they will discuss another toll increase next year because the proposals wouldn't generate enough money to meet that requirement through June 2014.
Dan O'Neal, a member of the State Transportation Commission, broached phasing in a toll increase over two years, but committee members weren't interested.
"I don't want to raise tolls any higher than they need to be, " committee member Amy Matsuno said.
O'Neal said a two-year increase would give toll payers more certainty and would eliminate costs associated with toll-setting.
He said several commission members were interested in the idea and added, "That's something we're going to talk about."
Some toll relief might materialize if state lawmakers are successful in pushing off for six years a $5.7 million sales-tax payment on the bridge's construction due to start this year.
Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, introduced the legislation and is lobbying furiously to keep it alive.
"We are both working to try to do something, but I don't have any news yet, " Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, told the committee.
Current tolls are $2.75 for electronic tolls, $4 for cash tolls and $5.50 for tolls paid by mail. The last toll increase was in 2008, and officials have drawn down reserves to avoid a toll hike until now.
Christian Hill: 253-274-7390 christian.hill@thenewstribune.com Twitter: @TNTchill Caption:
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