For whom the Bridge Tolls: Officials seek comment on Toll increases for HR Bridge
Local drivers are being asked to chime in on toll increases on the Hood River Bridge. Surveys are being accepted through June 14. Photo by Cole Goodwin
Locals are being asked to give their opinions on two different proposals to increase tolls for the Hood River Bridge replacement that is hoped to be completed as early as 2029.
Proposals for increasing the toll include six categories, and the majority of the increase would be felt by commercial trucks and vans and trucks and vehicles with three or more axles.
For example, a three-axle truck would see a $3 increase to $12 for those paying cash and to $9 for those using the BreezeBy system.
BreezeBy is an electronic tolling system that utilizes prepaid funds and transponders to facilitate faster commutes through the toll plaza and provide user discounts.
Cost per auto and pickup would also see an increase from $2 to $3 or $3.50 cash and from $1 to $1.75 or $2 on the BreezeBy system, depending on which toll option is used.
Here are the toll increase options as presented on the website:
Option 1 toll increases - click to expand image.
Option 2 toll increases - click to expand image.
Why the increase?
To replace the bridge, a federal loan must be secured and $15 million in cash reserves is being sought by 2028, according to hoodriverbridge.org
To meet that goal and to eventually repay the full loan, the project needs to raise money now in the form of increased tolls, the website explains.
All new revenue from this toll increase will go into a restricted fund to be used only for the new bridge, the website states.
Exact loan amount needed will depend on:
Final total cost of new bridge
Grant funding from state or federal sources
Schedule (delays cost money due to inflation)
Let them know what you think.
Currently, officials are taking a survey in an online open house. They must be completed by June 14. The survey can be found near the bottom of the page here.
A design rendering of the new bridge. According to a December report from the Port of Hood River, the new bridge will address issues such as river navigation, vehicle travel, pedestrian and bicycle connections, and safety.
New Authority
The newly formed Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority is set to begin operating on July 1st after the cities and counties at both ends of the aging Hood River White Salmon Bridge signed an agreement to create it.
The new bridge authority will have a board of six voting members, with Klickitat County and Hood River County appointing three members each.
More on the bridge project from CCCNews:
Click here for: New Senate Bill Aims to give $125 million to Hood River Bridge Replacement
Click here for: New local Bridge Authority gains voices in new HR Bridge
