BY SARAH ROSS

VANCOUVER- One of Oregon’s transportation officials, Gail Achterman, told citizens tonight that without a toll, the Columbia River Crossing project will not be a reality.

During the final meeting of the Columbia River Crossing’s Tolling Study committee, the Washington State Department of Transportation presented their findings on various tolling options for the project. Options ranged from tolling just the I-5 bridge, tolling both the I-5 and I-205 bridges, establishing fixed tolling prices to stay the same throughout the day, as well as varying tolling prices to increase during the more congested periods of the day.

Despite multiple public testimonies opposing tolling, the committee made clear that any new bridge only would be made possible through tolling, federal grant money, and possible state funds through increased taxes.

The tolling committee is comprised of Achterman from the Oregon Transportation Commission, Matthew Gardner of the Oregon Department of Transportation, Paula Hammond of the Washington Department of Transportation, and Carol Moser of the Washington State Transportation Commission.