Toll bills will be mailed to bridge users that don’t have BreezeBy
On March 17, the Port of Hood River stopped accepting cash toll payments to stop person-to-person contact at the toll booth and potentially reduce the risk of COVID-19 coronavirus spread in the community. The toll booth has since remained closed to reduce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for non-medical purposes, in compliance with Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order 20-10. BreezeBy electronic tolling was suspended on March 20.
On May 1, the Port will resume tolling, but will implement a Pay-by-Plate billing system for all vehicles that do not have a BreezeBy transponder. About seven days after a vehicle crosses the bridge, a Pay-by-Plate toll bill will be sent in the mail to the registered owners of that vehicle with charges for the $2 base toll rate plus a $3 ancillary fee per crossing. The Port is developing a process now to accept payment for tolls within seven days that would not include the $3 fee, but details on that payment process are not yet available. BreezeBy toll rates will remain the same, at a $1 base toll and no ancillary fees. Base toll rates are for 2-axle vehicles.
The BreezeBy system is largely used by local commuters and provides a discount on the cash toll rate. There are no fees to open an account, and the first transponder per household is provided for free. The Port is urging all residents and businesses in the MidColumbia region that do not already have BreezeBy to create a new account online before May 1 to save up to 50% on bridge tolls and avoid the $3 per crossing ancillary fee that will begin to be charged to non-BreezeBy customers on that date. New BreezeBy accounts can be opened online at portofhoodriver.com (Click “BREEZEBY” then click “New Account”) and transponders will be mailed within a couple of business days.
All vehicle traffic will continue to be directed through the outside lanes at the toll plaza located on the Oregon side of the bridge. All bridge users are urged to comply with the 10 mph speed limit through the toll plaza.
For more information, contact the Port of Hood River via email to info@portofhoodriver.com.