Bay Area bridge tolls set to rise, sparking concerns over financial oversight
Bay Area, California – Bay Area State Senator Dave Cortese formally asked for a state audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) in an effort to improve transparency and accountability in toll administration. This request stems from concerns about a set of rising bridge tolls that will affect Bay Area drivers; increases planned annually between 2026 and 2030.
Sen. Cortese, who also chairs the Senate Transportation Committee is looking to investigate the procedures by which these toll increases have been decided upon. The senator expressed concerns about the lack of responsibility and clarity in the utilization of already gathered tolls as well as the justification for the upcoming increases. Emphasizing the urgency of the audit, Cortese said the drivers of the seven Bay Area state-owned bridges want answers.
Affecting the Antioch, Bay, Benicia, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael, and San Mateo bridges, the tolls are expected to climb gradually over the next several years. With extra rises for FasTrak users ending in a $10.50 charge by 2030, the scheduled increases will see tolls for standard two-axle cars and trucks climb to $8.50 in 2026. Starting in 2027, drivers using license plate accounts or invoiced tolling will also pay a surcharge meant to promote the usage of FasTrak.
Including about $2 billion in projects, the Toll Bridge Capital Improvement Plan is funded by a larger financial plan including these series of toll increases. These initiatives include painting, repairs, and several other enhancements and are essential for the operational development and preservation of the bridges. Unlike a $1 increase implemented on January 1, 2023, which marked the last increment approved under Regional Measure 3—a voter-supported project from almost seven years ago that distributed bridge toll proceeds to various road and transit improvements—these impending toll increases are different.
Read also: Residents invited to serve on San Mateo County’s boards and commissions to influence local decisions
Senator Cortese raised fears about the transparency of money distribution from past toll increases agreed in 2018 meant for bridge repair and maintenance.
“While prior toll increases approved in 2018 were supposed to be spent on bridge maintenance and repair costs, it is unclear exactly where that money went. Now BATA is increasing tolls again saying additional maintenance and repair costs were not factored into the 2018 measure. No wonder the public is so confused,” Cortese said to CBS News.
The proposed audit will review the MTC’s decision-making process to guarantee that the toll increases were required and assess the success of the MTC’s risk management strategies meant to stop cost overruns. Focusing on annual toll revenue and expenses to guarantee cautious use of money, the audit will also examine four toll-funded initiatives under control by the MTC and BATA.
Read also: San Mateo County sees major retail shift as Hillsdale Mall plans major mixed-use renovation
MTC looks forward collaborating with the State Auditor to answer all the questions mentioned in the audit request from Senator Cortese’s office, John Goodwin, a spokesperson for MTC and BATA, told CBS News Bay Area Thursday.
