Bay Area mayors urge for $3 bridge toll hike, Yes on Measure 3

The mayors of the Bay Area's largest cities will come together on Monday to ask voters to support a toll hike on seven regional bridges with the money going to pay for transportation improvement projects.  

The push is ahead of the June 5 election when voters will decide whether they're willing to pay more to cross the Bay Area’s bridges. If Measure 3 passes, tolls would gradually go up by $3 over several years. Eventually it would cost $9 to cross the Bay Bridge during rush hour.  

All of the Bay Area’s bridges, except for the Golden Gate Bridge, are part of the measure. The money raised from the toll increase would pay for various transportation improvement projects. Backers of Measure 3 say it will generate $4.5 billion to pay for better freeway exchanges, more BART cars and expanded bus and ferry service.

Still, some commuters are not on board with the idea.  “It’s going to be very difficult, really terrible,” Tim Saunders of Vallejo said. The Palo Alto Weekly editorial board also urged no on Measure 3, as did Zelda Bronstein, the former chair of the Berkeley Planning Commission. 

If it’s approved, the toll hike would be phased in over six years -- starting with a $1 increase in January of 2019.