Solid majority backs Bay Area bridge toll hikes to fund transportation projects

With all precincts reporting vote totals for most Bay Area counties, an election measure to raise $4.45 billion from bridge toll hikes appeared to have won a solid majority.

Fifty-four percent of voters favored Regional Measure 3, according to a vote count Wednesday morning compiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Passage requires a simple majority.

Six of the nine counties had 100 percent of precincts reporting, while a seventh, Santa Clara, had 97 percent reporting. Two counties, San Mateo and Napa, mailed ballots to every voter.

Napa election workers on Wednesday still have 10,000 to 20,000 ballots to process, an election official said Wednesday.

For Sonoma County, the measure would provide $120 million to widen Highway 101 between Novato and Petaluma and $40 million to extend the SMART train north to at least Windsor.

Passage also would mean $100 million for improving Highway 37 in the North Bay and $150 million for the San Francisco Bay Trail for cyclists and pedestrians.

You can reach Staff Writer Robert Digitale at 707-521-5285 or robert.digitale@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @rdigit.