Residents Voice Frustrations Over Hood River Bridge Tolls, Billing Errors
By Robin Denning
Hood River, Ore., Dec. 6, 2024 — Residents and commuters who rely on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge are voicing growing frustrations over repeated tolling errors and inconsistent charges, further exacerbating tensions surrounding the aging bridge. The issues, described as "ongoing" by many users, are the latest in a series of operational and infrastructure concerns tied to the century-old structure.
The Port of Hood River, which operates the bridge, recently acknowledged a "technical issue" in its BreezeBy tolling system, resulting in delayed charges for November crossings. This led to unexpected billing discrepancies for many users, sparking outrage on social media and calls for greater accountability from the Port.
Port of Hood River Issues Statment Addressing Accounting Errors, Dec 5th, 3.02PM
Mischarges and Overcharges Plague Local Commuters
Chris Musgrave, a frequent bridge user, described the Port's management as "beyond the worst customer service, worst PR, and clearly the worst management of any entity I have ever encountered." Other users, such as A Life With Trees LLC, reported being charged inconsistent toll rates for the same vehicle and route, while some business owners, like Jeff Zorza, claimed they must review monthly statements to ensure accurate billing.
“I’m charged for anywhere from three to eight axles on my three-axle truck,” Zorza said. “I’m about to start sending them an invoice for my time. After all, I run a business too.”
Brandy Miller, another affected resident, discovered her account showed 20 crossings in a single day—far exceeding her actual usage. “We have a budget set aside for bridge tolls, and now we’re in the red because of their mistake. It’s just not okay,” she said. Her sentiments were echoed by others who called for a class-action lawsuit against the Port.
Port's Response Draws Criticism
In a statement, the Port of Hood River attributed the errors to a processing issue in Lane 1 of the bridge, which delayed November transactions. They advised customers to email discrepancies for resolution but stopped short of offering a comprehensive review or reimbursement of overcharges.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the statement read. “Our team has worked diligently to address the issue.”
Hood River Bridge
However, for many commuters, the response was insufficient. Calls for an independent audit of the Port’s finances and operations have grown louder, with critics suggesting systemic mismanagement. “Perhaps a recall initiative is due on neglectful Port Commissioners,” wrote Catherine Miller Peck in a social media post.
Larger Problems Loom
The Hood River Bridge, a vital connection between Oregon and Washington, has long been criticized for its narrow lanes, lack of pedestrian pathways, and frequent closures for maintenance or to accommodate river traffic. With over 4 million crossings annually, the bridge is considered “functionally obsolete” by the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The Port recently announced plans to replace the bridge with a modern structure, estimated to cost over $1 billion. While the new bridge promises improved safety and efficiency, funding remains a significant hurdle, leaving residents to endure the current system's challenges for years to come.
The funding picture, prior to engineers announcing an increase in cost to more than $1B, yes A BILLION DOLLARS!
Growing Frustration in the Community
For many residents, the tolling issues underscore broader concerns about transparency and accountability at the Port. “This bridge has been paid for five times over, yet they keep raising tolls,” said Dale Brooks. “They know we have no choice but to pay.”
With frustrations mounting, residents are calling for immediate reforms, better communication, and a renewed focus on customer service. “This isn’t just about money,” said Flora McGill. “It’s about trust, and right now, the Port has lost ours.”
As discussions about the new bridge move forward, it remains to be seen whether the Port of Hood River can rebuild that trust—or whether residents will continue to push for greater oversight and accountability.
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