After meeting with trustees of the Garcon Point Bridge in Atlanta, Representative Doug Broxson pled the citizens’ case but to no avail. He said, “They feel like they're entitled to arbitrarily and unilaterally make decisions on the toll increase. I gave them all the reasons why it would not be a good idea. Frankly, they were not receptive to ways to make the bridge more productive for the bond holders.” Broxson said they feel the only way to increase revenue on the bridge is with an increase on the toll.
Broxson said, “(The trustees) think over a long period of time people will lay aside their rebellion for convenience and begin to gradually use the bridge more and more again. I think they expect there will be real hard feelings and efforts made on the north and south side by home owners associations and elected officials to say, ‘If you find a better route, take it.’ If they make decision not to use the bridge, stick to it until owners are interested in what's happening in our area.”
As previously reported, the cash toll would increase to $5 while the cost for using the Sunpass would increase to $4, with the frequent-use discount dropping to 25 percent from 50. Broxson said the trustees feel a toll increase would raise revenue despite predicted bad publicity.
“What they’re counting on are those people who pay cash, mostly tourists.” The trustees feel the shorter route to the beach would still be worth it to travelers, he said.
“Here's the dilemma,” Broxson said, “They had a growing debt of $94 million (which grew) to $131 million. The bond holders are screaming for action. The trustee who represents the holders say, ‘We have only one way we can adjust tolls, with a revenue and traffic study. It says we can raise rate to increase revenue.’ Here you have what appears to be a questionable investment growing in debt (and you’re) trying to solve the problem through tolls. Do I think that will solve it? Absolutely not.”
Broxson said a stipulation in the bond agreement required a traffic study before a toll increase. The study the trustees relied on for the toll increase decision Broxson felt was incomplete, but said his encouragement to create a new, more in depth study was rebuffed.
While not saying the trip wasn’t worth it, Broxson did say, “It was probably in their best interest to meet with me. I was disappointed they pretty much determined prior to meeting they had limited ways to increase revenue…They made it crystal clear it's privately owned with trustees who carry out the wishes of the bondholders.”
Aside from counting on tourism dollars, Broxson also said, “These are smart people.” He said the trustees know of plans for late 2016 Three Mile bridge construction, and Avalon’s closeness to completion. Traffic on 98, he said, will feel pressure to use the bridge.
“In essence,” Broxson said, “they’re saying if you have a Sunpass, (the rate) will go up a quarter. If you pay cash, you’re probably not using the bridge regularly. They've calculated all the reasons they should not (raise the toll) and reasons they should. The conclusion was, despite all the negative and all the protests… we'll have an increase.”
The fight is ultimately in the hands of the people. The bridge is privately held, as elected officials have expressed, and relies on tolls to operate.
Broxson said the toll has not actually increased yet, but gave every indication the trustees will do so. He said he will put out a press release once it happens. Keep up with the Press Gazette whether in print or at www.srpressgazette.com for the announcement.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Broxson: trustees feel entitled to raising toll