The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) held it’s final scheduled meeting Thursday night and recommended new toll rates for the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) to consider.

The recommended rates of $3.65 for Good to Go! customers, $5 for cash customers and $7 for Pay By Mail customers was dependent on the passage of Senate Bill 6073 (SB 6073), which delays repayment of the sales tax owed on the bridge’s construction for an additional six years.

SB 6073 passed after the conclusion of the Committee’s meeting.  Without the passage of the bill, the Committee recommended $4.15 for Good to Go! customers, $5.50 for cash customer and $7.50 for Pay By Mail customers.  In addition to the rate recommendations, the Committee also recommended that the current $1.50 processing fee for Pay By Mail be increased to $2, believing the current fee does not cover the actual cost of collections.

Higher toll rates are being driven by increased debt service and the WSTC’s requirement of maintaining a reserve representing 12.5% of annual debt service and maintenance/operational expenses.

The CAC will make it’s recommendation to the WSTC, who ultimately determines the toll rates, on March 20 in Olympia.  If approved, the new toll rates are expected to go into effect July 1, 2012.