Short of local area governments planning ahead of the new bridge construction to initiate local sales or gas taxes to raise the $102-$106 million dollars required for the “local share” for the new Pensacola Bay Bridge construction, expect a toll.

“The bottom line is that we are looking at a one-half billion dollar project,” said Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Three Secretary Tommy Barfield. “We have to look at alternative funding resources. We have to go through the study process, but we have to look at alternative resources like a $2 to $3 toll. The final determination comes after the study, but the department has a very clear and public policy that at this point includes user fees.

“As an agent of this state, I cannot promote any kind of tax increase to fund the local share, but I do have the authority to implement a toll based on the feasibility study,” Barfield said. “There will be some sort of local contribution. It is a fact that it is a stated policy of the FDOT that we look at the feasibility of a toll. It is mandated that local areas will have a financial responsibility.”

FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad and Gov. Rick Scott recorded their ‘Vision for the 21st Century’ to include tolling to ensure a local contribution. “While FDOT’s current budget is about $7.9 billion, we must identify creative financing alternatives to get more projects through the production pipeline,” Prasad penned in the Vision. “To that end, Florida will be implementing a policy that all new capacity on interstates and expressways and widening and replacement of all major river crossings should be tolled where feasible or at the very least tolls should complement traditional funding in delivering the improvements and new capacity.”

“This is a game changer,” warned Councilman David G. Landfair. “Life as we know it will change in Gulf Breeze as people choose not to travel, and to do business elsewhere all in order to avoid the toll. We already see it with the Garcon Point Bridge.”

Barfield confirmed Tuesday conversations he had last Wednesday with Gulf Breeze Mayor Beverly Zimmern and City Manager Edwin “Buz” Eddy in which he confirmed that state policy was being implemented to require that “new capacity projects in the state are going to be tolled.”

“On Wednesday, January 25th, Mayor Zimmern and I traveled to Chipley to meet with District Secretary Thomas Barfield and four others regarding the status of the bridge replacement study,” Eddy wrote in a memo to council last Friday. “According to Secretary Barfield, ‘local funds’ will be necessary to fund this project. FDOT is not particular about the source of this local contribution. As FDOT cannot ‘force’ an entity to levy sales or gas taxes to serve as the local funds, they will have to institute a toll on this entire facility. The toll would likely be $2 or $3 and would be collected by transponder or mailed invoice based on a scanned tag. The revenue from this toll will not be used for any other project.”

“This is not the only area where we are facing this challenge,” Barfield said. “Now is the time for local governments to consider the alternatives to tolling. The bottom line is that we are looking at a toll.”

The $546 estimated price tag is based on a 6-lane bridge, Barfield admits. “The way they have it programmed is in multiple phases – design/build, construction,” he said. “I encourage everyone to get involved in the process now.”

“In March or so, the corridor analysis will be complete,” Eddy advised council. “FDOT will indicate a preference with all the process-driven backup required by the Federal Highway Administration for presentation to FHWA. If FHWA approves, the specific corridor preferred will be developed into a design. The indication was that the far eastern and far western corridors are not likely. The old bridge ‘has got to go.’ I believe Escambia and Santa Rosa, Pensacola and Gulf Breeze should consider a partial or complete contribution to the ‘local contribution’ in some way other than a toll. Or, at least contribute part of the total through another means. For example, if a local option gas or sales tax were used in lieu of all or part of the toll, all economic activity from the beach to the Alabama border would help offset the ‘local contribution.’ If a $2 or $3 toll is used, the local folks that go back and forth would bear the brunt of the payment of the ‘local contribution.’”

Eddy expects the results soon from the FDOT on an “Access Management Study” of Gulf Breeze that will determine how the FDOT believes added traffic can be assimilated within the existing infrastructure.

“Everyone needs to attend the Feb. 23 TPO meeting,” Eddy said in an email to Landfair. “To your point, a toll of $2 or $3 will definitely have a negative impact on our local economy and the economy on Pensacola Beach. We are going to implore all of our legislative delegation to be at the Feb 23 workshop, too. We have asked regularly for the FDOT to only build the bridge we need.. . .i.e., a four-lane bridge with a (full) break down lane. We have been told that if FDOT was to submit a plan for funding to FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) for a four-lane bridge, FHWA would refuse to fund it at all because four lanes are inadequate to carry current and anticipated traffic. The FHWAsays they will pay for the replacement because the bridge is structurally obsolete.”

Landfair expressed strong concern over the impact to the businesses in Gulf Breeze.

“Why would you pay a toll to come to Gulf Breeze to do something? I am sure the answer is no,” he challenged. “Two to three bucks is ridiculous. I also think real estate will be affected. Most people do not work here. They will have to budget four bucks a day minimum.”

A toll revenue study is being conducted for the bridge.

When asked if the “Cultural Impact” analysis of the greatly expanded bridge upon the city of Gulf Breeze would include analyzing the cultural impact of a toll “separating” South Santa Rosa County and Pensacola Beach from Pensacola, Barfield could only encourage public attendance and input and meetings and through online surveys.

“There are two things we should all do,” Landfair said. “First, go to Pensacaolabaybridge.com and take the survey about the toll. It just got posted last week. Now is the time to tell FDOT what you think about the toll. Second, we need to start thinking about a way to split the bill with all of the users of the bridge in Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Santa Rosa County.”

The construction costs for replacing the (four-lane) bridge would be covered by the federal funds, and the additions or improvements to the structure (additional lanes, walking lanes, beautification, etc.) would be covered by tolls or local additional taxes. The total cost for the design and build stage of the bridge exceeds $540 million, and only $215 million is currently allocated in state fundsaccording to FDOT sources.