The Washington State Transportation Commission kicks off a busy week with a public input meeting Monday, April 15, in Gig Harbor. This is an opportunity for Tacoma Narrows Bridge (TNB) users and other interested persons to comment on the commission’s proposed toll-rate increase. The commission also will hold its regular meeting in Olympia Tuesday, April 16, and Wednesday, April 17, where it will discuss freight trends and ferry fares for 2013.

The commission has proposed a 25-cent toll increase in 2013 for the TNB, with an additional 25-cent increase in 2014. The new rates would take effect on July 1 each year.

The TNB public-input meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street. The commission will not take action at this meeting. A final hearing, where the commission will take additional public comment and plans to take action to adopt new toll rates, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 20, at the Gig Harbor Civic Center.  Information on the commission’s toll rate proposal can be found at:  www.wstc.wa.gov

The commission’s regular meeting will start 9 a.m. each day, Tuesday and Wednesday, in the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE, on the Capitol Campus in Olympia. The meeting is open to the public and persons wishing to speak to the commission may do so during the public comment periods scheduled at the close of each day.

On Tuesday, the commission will discuss trends in statewide freight movement and local, state and federal freight planning efforts. One of the most freight-dependent economies in the nation, Washington state is investing additional public and private resources into freight system improvements. In addition, WSDOT is leading work on developing a new state freight plan, and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board is beginning work on freight performance measures. The freight plan and performance measures will inform the commission’s update of the state’s 20-year transportation plan.

Presentations on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon will set the stage for ferry fare setting later this spring and summer. Washington State Ferries (WSF) staff will brief the commission Tuesday afternoon on implementation of the vehicle reservation system. On Wednesday afternoon, WSF will brief the commission on possible fare policy changes that have been discussed with the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs.

Other agenda items include an update of the SR 520 bridge pontoon construction and a presentation about the Puget Sound Gateway, a series of highway improvements to facilitate freight movement to and from the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

For more information about the commission and complete meeting agendas, visit: http://www.wstc.wa.gov/