Doyle Drive funds likely to get OK

<p>Golden Gate Bridge officials won't increase tolls to pay a $75 million share of the Doyle Drive reconstruction cost unless the hike is part of a program to charge motorists at all entrances to San Francisco.</p><p>In an agreement expected to be approved by bridge directors Friday, the agency will commit the lump sum for the mammoth $1 billion-plus highway project at the bridge's southern approach with the understanding the money will come from "non-traditional sources" such as advertising partnerships.</p><p>However, if so-called cordon tolls are established by the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, the bridge could be tapped for collections. City officials are studying such a charge as a way to manage congestion.</p><p>"A toll increase could still be a component of the funding plan," said Mary Currie, bridge district spokeswoman. "But our focus will be on non-traditional sources and grants."</p><p>The latest attempt to close a multimillion dollar funding gap for replacing the 1.5-mile stretch through the Presidio follows months of private meetings with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco officials and transportation agencies in Marin and Sonoma counties.</p><p>The agencies were forced to come up with a new financing scheme after bridge directors refused to collect a toll that some in the North Bay labeled a commuter tax.</p><p>Under the proposal that emerged, the commission would pledge $80 million, mostly through tolls at other Bay Area bridges. The Golden Gate district would match the contribution with a $5 million commitment from the two North Bay counties.</p><p>The money would be combined with funds from existing sources, such as San Francisco's half-cent transportation sales tax and grants from the state and federal governments, to finish construction of Doyle Drive by 2014.</p><p>Sonoma County transportation officials last week committed their share -- $1 million. Marin officials are expected to make a $4 million pledge today and MTC trustees will vote Wednesday.</p><p>Bridge directors are being asked Friday to sign off on their portion. The search will begin immediately for a way to come up with the money by the time the project is completed, Currie said.</p><p>Possibilities include a once-rejected corporate sponsorship idea that would raise about $4 million a year. The bridge also would seek grants from various sources.</p><p>But with other capital projects still unfunded, such as construction of the $40 million to $50 million suicide barrier, competition for money is fierce, Currie said.</p><p>San Francisco officials said some money could come from a cordon tolling program similar to one in use in London and other cities. Using either electronic or video systems, the city would collect up to several dollars when cars passed into downtown or through the Doyle Drive corridor during peak traffic times.</p><p>Details of the system are expected next week, said Tilly Chang, deputy director of planning for the San Francisco Transportation Authority.</p><p>The tolls would require legislative action, Chang said.</p><p>What role the bridge would play, if any, is unclear, she said.</p><p>"How they would want to pay their $75 million is up to them," Chang said. "It's their policy decision."</p><p>Meanwhile, some North Bay bridge directors expressed concern about what would happen if the bridge finds it can't meet the $75 million obligation.</p><p>Director Brian Sobel of Petaluma said it is a "difficult time to make an enormous commitment."</p><p>"While we say we will not use tolls, does it become a self-fulfilling prophecy if we can't find money elsewhere?" he said. "It sure seems to me there's a lot of blind faith here."</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 762-7297 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.</p>