Hood River Bridge Toll to Increase Sept. 1
Cash toll will increase to $3.50, BreezeBy to $1.75 per crossing
The Hood River Bridge as it exists today. Photo from HoodRiverBridge.org.
by Cole Goodwin
Hood River, OR July 18, 2023, – The Port of Hood River Board of Commissioners greenlit a toll rate increase for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge at their July 11, 2023 meeting. The toll increase will begin on September 1, 2023. The decision comes after a series of public engagement efforts to gather input on the two tolling options recommended by the Washington State Transportation Commission's traffic and revenue study and the recommendations of the newly formed Hood River White Salmon Bridge Authority (HRWSBA).
Beginning on September 1, passenger vehicles using the cash payment system will see an increase in toll rates from $2.00 to $3.50 per crossing. Customers utilizing the Port's prepaid tolling system, BreezeBy, will also see an increase, with tolls for two-axle vehicles going up by $0.75 from $1.00 to $1.75 per crossing.
The toll rates for other vehicle classes are as follows:
CASH PAYMENTS
Class 0 – Motorcycles: $3.00
Class 1 – Passenger Cars & Pickups: $3.50
Class 2+ – Large trucks, RVs, Trailers, Busses: $4.00 PER AXLE
BREEZEBY
Class 0 – Motorcycles: $1.50
Class 1 – Passenger Cars & Pickups: $1.75
Class 2+ – Large trucks, RVs, Trailers, Busses: $3.00 PER AXLE
Opening a new Breezeby account incurs no additional fees, and each household receives one transponder free of charge. Additional transponders can be obtained for $5.00 each, and there is no limit to the number of vehicles that can be associated with an account. Customers can load funds onto their Breezeby account using cash, check, credit, or debit card, with Spanish language customer services available.
The new toll rates will provide crucial funding for the construction of the replacement bridge.
The HRWSBA needs to generate between $70 to $150 million in local toll revenue to complete the funding for the construction of the replacement bridge. All additional toll revenue collected will be allocated to a separate Bi State Replacement Fund, exclusively earmarked for building cash reserves to secure a federal construction loan.
An image taken from HoodRiverBridge.org.
“This is a key part of our strategy to fund the bridge,” said Port and Bridge Authority Commissioner Mike Fox, “We are targeting about 85% of the total $520 million needed for the new bridge to come from state and federal grants. The balance will have to be funded through loans backed by toll revenue.”
The project recently received $20 million in funding from the Oregon state legislature and $75 million from Washington. The projects has also secured a $3.6 million federal grant to fund the design and engineering of a pedestrian and bicycle crossing on the new bridge.
Port and Bridge Authority Commissioner Mike Fox, expressed the Bridge Authority's commitment to addressing concerns about tolling impact on users, stating, "We understand the potential burden on bridge users and will actively pursue ways to secure more grants, ultimately reducing the necessity for loans.”
As September 1 approaches, bridge users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the updated toll rates and explore the BreezeBy option to potentially reduce their commuting expenses. The Port of Hood River continues to emphasize its dedication to seeking alternative funding sources to alleviate the burden on toll-paying commuters and enhance the overall transportation experience in the region.
For further information on the replacement bridge project, visit hoodriverbridge.org.
About HRWSBA
ThemHRWSBA held its inaugural meeting on July 10, taking on full responsibility for the replacement project moving forward. Once construction is completed, the new Bridge Authority will be responsible for the ownership and operation of the replacement bridge, including the establishment of future toll rates.
With a board comprising six members appointed by the county commissions of Hood River and Klickitat, the Bridge Authority seeks to ensure balanced representation from both sides of the river in their decision-making processes pertaining to project delivery and ongoing operations for the new bridge.
AI was used in the development of this story.
