Tolls increasing July 1 on Bridge of the Gods

The last toll increase for the Bridge of the Gods was back in 2014, and was limited to heavy trucks only.

“It occurred because the Commission was beginning to understand what they need to be doing to preserve the Bridge of the Gods at 80,000 pounds,” explained the Port of Cascade Locks General Manager Paul Koch.

Having a local sticker on your vehicle will keep the toll the same price for qualified residents and allow crossing the Bridge of the Gods for $1 each way, instead of the increased toll of $2.

Anyone not displaying the sticker, or using the new coupons, will be charged $2 to cross the bridge.

“The idea to keep the toll lower for the locals is because, on the Oregon side, people pay tax to the Port,” explained Koch, “the Commission is trying to facilitate economic development within the region and locals have been paying for years.”

Local stickers are issued on a vehicle basis, one per car or truck, and aren’t limited by household.

A mix of steadily increasing traffic, and higher maintenance costs have driven the need for higher tolls across the bridge.

“The toll is being raised to begin building for the funds necessary for the proper maintenance and preservation of the Bridge of the Gods as related to the 10 year plan,” Koch explained in an email.

New local bridge crossing stickers are currently being distributed from two locations: the Port of Cascade Locks office, located at 427 SW Portage Road, Cascade Locks; and the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce. As of last week, about 500 stickers were handed out, said Koch.

Local stickers are not available for distribution at the bridge’s toll booth.

Proof of residence is needed in order to receive a local sticker. The Port Office accepts a driver’s license, vehicle registration, or insurance list as proof of local residence within Wasco, Hood River, Skamania, and Klickitat counties. The communities of Warrendale and Dodson also qualify for local stickers from the port.

For residents outside of the qualifying counties and communities, new ticket books will be available for purchase after July 1. The new books will be available at the Port Office, and toll booth, in booklets of 20 and 40.

To display the local sticker correctly, place on the lower left corner of your car’s windshield on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

For now, locals won’t be paying the increased toll, but a planned increase for locals can’t be ruled out in the future, said Koch.