Pinellas Bayway Proposed Toll Increase

[HARTride 2012]

Pinellas Bayway tolls may be going up
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Navigating the Pinellas Bayway may soon cost a little more.


The Florida Department of Transportation has proposed increasing tolls on the highway to help pay for the replacement of the Pinellas Bayway and Tierra Verde drawbridges.

Currently, it costs 50 cents to go east and west on the Bayway. The proposed increases would raise the toll to $1.25 if drivers use cash and $1.00 for Sunpass users. And the toll to continue south to Fort DeSoto Park would jump from 35 cents to $2.50 for cash users and $2.00 for Sunpass users.

Toll rates on the Bayway haven't increased since 1986.

The public can weigh in on the proposed increases at a public meeting Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at the St. Pete Beach Community Center on Boca Ciega Drive.

Nearby residents said they hope an increase doesn't reduce park visitors.

"I would hate to see families coming down to the beautiful beach we have here and think twice,' said St. Pete beach resident Wendy Issac. "That wouldn't be good."

But FDOT officials said if the drawbridges are not replaced now, the cost for maintenance could reach $41 million by 2012.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/11/28/306122.html?title=Pinellas+Bayway+tolls+may+be+going+up
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Do you support the proposed toll increase?

[HARTride 2012]

Though the increase is steep, I support the plan. The bridge replacement plan has hit too many hurdles as it is and not moving forward with the increase will delay the project even further, increasing the risk of an evacuation catastrophe if god forbid, we have a Cat 5 come our way.

[I-275westcoastfl]

I think the increase to Ft.Desoto is a little too much but it doesn't matter to me much as I rarely even go to St.Pete anymore, yet alone that far south.

[tonyff67]

I don't mind an increase, but I think it should be a smaller one. I love Ft Desoto and go quite often. I would think raising both tolls to a dollar would be much more reasonable.

[thehappysmith]

That would prevent me ever returning to Fort DeSoto, which is sad. By the time I've made it all the way down there I've spent so much on gas alone, another $2 is just a kick while I'm down. Sorry to see it, but bridges must be repaired I suppose.

[Jasonhouse]

^No, it would be $3.75 to drive to Ft DeSoto, not $2. It is presently $0.85 to get to Ft DeSoto...

I don't go there anyways, as it is really only practical for southern Pinellas beach goers to access the beach in a timely manner. I basically only go to the beach when I'm already visiting someone who lives close to the beach.

[HARTride 2012]

Did anyone know about this meeting? If so, did anyone go?

Air Bayway concerns tonight

By NICK JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Published November 28, 2007
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ST. PETE BEACH - The Florida Department of Transportation is holding an informational meeting tonight about the ailing bridges that make up the Pinellas Bayway system.

The bottom line: The bridges need to be replaced, and tolls need to be increased to help fund the construction.

Marked by malfunctions and increased maintenance costs, the two drawbridges that connect Isla Del Sol to Tierra Verde and St. Pete Beach are scheduled to be replaced within the next several years.

According to the proposed finance plan, the 50 cent tolls that have been in place for more than 20 years along the east and west portions of the Bayway will be increased to $1.25. The tolls to the south leading to Fort De Soto Park will go from 35 cents to $2.50.

"This is what's needed to fund these bridges, and by doing this we will be able to start construction," Don Skelton, the DOT District 7 secretary, said.

The meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the St. Pete Beach Community Center. There will be an opportunity for public comment, but the meeting will be aimed at addressing concerns rather than gathering community opinions.

"I don't think there's much you can say. They're going to build it anyway," Commissioner Harry Metz of St. Pete Beach said.

Metz represents residents of the Pass-a-Grille neighborhood, many of whom rely heavily on the Pinellas Bayway Bridge when coming to and going from the island.

"When the bridge was brand-new and the toll was started, they told us it was to build a new one when the bridge deteriorated. Now it's time and they've spent all the money," he said.

That is a common misconception, Skelton said. That money from the Bayway's trust fund has not been squandered on other projects around the county, he said.

"No Bayway funds have been spent on any projects other than the widening of Blind Pass Road, and that was directed by the Legislature in the early '90s," Skelton said.

The money has gone to maintain and operate the bridges, an endeavor that is becoming more expensive.

If the bridges are not replaced, they will need significant rehabilitation within the next five years.Skelton estimates that cost at $40-million.

Instead, the DOT plans to move forward with the new construction. The two bridges and additional improvements will cost almost $180-million. The Bayway trust fund will cover about $36-million.

"It's making a prudent decision to use your money wisely," Skelton said.

But some are worried about the impact on people who work and live in the area. The cost of an annual pass would go from $50 to $125.

Connie Langhorst of Friends of Tierra Verde said she wants to see a new bridge built but doesn't think people who live and work on the island should have to shoulder the burden.

"The audacity of the county to say they are going to raise the tolls to the residents is ridiculous," Langhorst said. "We spend a lot of taxes already and we don't see them being spent here."

Others think the benefits will outweigh the cost.

"Personally I don't see any problem, if we want new bridges and safe bridges," James Dean, owner of Tierra Verde Hardware, said.

"If you want to come and enjoy a beautiful place, then you should be able to afford the extra 75 cents. I don't think that's going to break anybody," Dean said.

The state plans to start receiving bids on the Pinellas Bayway bridgenext year and award a contract to design and build the Tierra Verde bridge in 2009.

Both are to be replaced by taller fixed spans and would stay open during the new construction.

Nick Johnson can be reached at nickjohnson@sptimes.com or 727 893-8361.

If you go

Meeting tonight

Where: St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive

When: 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

[Last modified November 27, 2007, 20:54:25]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/28/Neighborhoodtimes/Air_Bayway_concerns_t.shtml

[Jasonhouse]

Connie Langhorst of Friends of Tierra Verde said she wants to see a new bridge built but doesn't think people who live and work on the island should have to shoulder the burden.
Well, I don't live there, don't use the bridge, and had damned well better not be a paying a cent to fund this greedy whiner's access to the mainland. Pay for this corridor exclusively with user fees, or let it fall into the bay.

[HARTride 2012]

^^
Agreed.

Maybe all those rich folks in Tierra Verde should flip the bill :lol:

[Jasonhouse]

^They benefit both physically and monetarily because of that bridge. Of course they should pay for it.

[HARTride 2012]

^^:lol:

[LeapFrog]

Looks like some more people are coming out against the toll increase. I wouldn't bet on this being a 'done deal'.

Check this out: http://www.stoptoll.org/

[HARTride 2012]

^^
HOLY CRAP! THAT IS BEYOND RIDICULOUS!

Thanks for the link. The project tolls are just beyond pathetic. This is more of a reason for my opposition against the proposal.

[AKBTampa]

I don't live in St. Pete, but did go to Pass-a-grille a few weekends ago and the Tolls create an absurd amount of traffic themselves. Reminds me of the traffic getting over the bridge at Clearwater Beach, but atleast there I don't have to wait to pay a toll once I'm through the traffic and then sit in more traffic further down the road. This area looks like God's waiting room, to me (ala Del Boca Vista). I have to agree that Tierra Verde residents should sit down and cough up their share of the tolls. If it weren't for those bridges would they even be living on these shored up islands?... Probably not!

[Jasonhouse]

That site is typical of NIMBYs who don't know what they are talking about. They just know that if they don't get their way, life as we know it will end...


My perspective is, my property taxes already subsidize theirs, my property insurance premiums already subsidize theirs, and now they want a handout to replace their aging bridges, because they're too cheap to pay for the road that makes their land accessible, habitable and of significant monetary value? Hell no! I wisely purchased a home not in such a precarious geographic location. They did not. Why must I pay for their myopic choices? Sorry, but if the residents down there don't like it, then they can shut up and move.

[HARTride 2012]

^^
I have to agree with your rant Jason. I don't think it is at all fair that we have to pay for their choices. Let those whining Tierra Verde residents pay for the bridge. Thier luxuries aren't as important as ensuring the future safety of Pinellas infrastructure.