Cash toll will increase to $3.50, BreezeBy to $1.75 per crossing

Tolls on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate bridge will increase for all vehicles on September 1, 2023. The new toll rates were set based on the recommendation of the newly formed Hood River White Salmon Bridge Authority (HRWSBA), citing the need to raise $75 -$150 million in local toll revenue to complete the funding package for construction of the replacement bridge. 100% of the new toll revenue will be paid out to a separate Bi State Replacement Fund to be used solely for building up cash reserves required for a federal construction loan.

The new Bridge Authority had its first meeting on July 10 and assumed responsibility going forward for the replacement project. The new Bridge Authority will own and operate the replacement bridge and will set toll rates once construction is complete. With six members appointed by the county commissions of Hood River and Klickitat, the board has equal representation on both sides of the river for decision-making on project delivery and ongoing operations for the new bridge. The Bridge Authority has published a video featuring Klickitat County Commissioner Jake Anderson explaining the reasoning for the toll increase and its use viewable on their website at https://hoodriverbridge.org/.

Hood River – White Salmon Bridge Replacement Project – Tolling (English Captions) from Story Gorge on Vimeo.

Base toll rates for passenger vehicles will increase for cash-paying customers, going from $2.00 to $3.50 per crossing. Bridge users that have signed up for the Port’s prepaid tolling system, BreezeBy, will see an increase of $0.75 per crossing rate going from $1.00 to $1.75 per crossing for two-axle vehicles. Toll rates depend on vehicle class with large trucks, RVs, and trailers paying $4.00 per axle for cash customers, $3.00 per axle with BreezeBy.

There are no extra fees to open a new Breezeby account, funds never expire, and each household receives one transponder for free. After that, each additional transponder is $5.00. There is no limit to the number of vehicles for each account. Customers can load funds onto their Breezeby account with cash, check, or credit or debit card. Spanish language customer services are available.