Washington Toll Bridge Authority

The Toll Bridge Authority was created by the state legislature in 1937. The state wanted to improve transportation routes by building bridges but had been hampered by restrictions regarding bonding in the state constitution. The Authority was given the power to issue revenue bonds which were not limited by the constitution. It was to select, fund, build, and operate bridges which would probably not win approval in a statewide levy. The revenues from the operation of the bridges would pay off the bonds. In 1951, the state bought the Puget Sound Transportation Company's fleet of "Black Ball Line" ferries, and the TBA took on the responsibility of running and funding the ferry system; in 1961, the Highways Dept. newly-established Toll Facilities Division took over building, mantaining and operating toll bridges and ferries, but the TBA continued to handle financing, bonds, leases, and toll rates. The membership of the Authority originally consisted of the governor, the state auditor, the director of the Public Service Commission, the director of highways, and the director of the Dept. of Finance, Budget and Business. By the time the Authority was dissolved in 1977, the membership consisted of the governor, two members of the State Highway Commission appointed by the Commission, and two other members appointed by the governor. The director of the Highways Dept. was an ex officio, non-voting member. The Dept. of Transportation was created on 21 Sept. 1977, and the Toll Bridge Authority held its last meeting two days earlier.