A Congestion Pricing Plan For America's Most Famous Bridge

Plans call for raising the tolls on the San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge depending on the time of day, but commuters have so far reacted negatively to the plan, arguing there are too few alternatives.

2 minute read

May 11, 2008, 9:00 AM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"Drivers crossing the Golden Gate Bridge will pay as much as $7 during the morning and evening commutes and on weekend and holiday afternoons if bridge directors approve a congestion-based toll unveiled Thursday.

The district already plans to increase by a dollar its current toll of $5 for those who pay with cash and $4 for those who use FasTrak. The congestion-based toll would add a dollar more during the periods of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 3 to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

"The idea is to incent people to leave a little earlier or come back a little later so that they don't have to travel in those peak periods," said Celia Kupersmith, general manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District."

"Not surprisingly, drivers reacted angrily to news of a $7 toll, saying it would penalize working people who have no choice but to drive during commute hours.

"This is pathetic," said Jose Archimede, a salesman who said the public should "be allowed to vote on these excessive and exorbitant charges."

"The U.S. Department of Transportation, which is pushing congestion pricing nationwide, set a goal for the Golden Gate Bridge of reducing congestion during the busiest periods so that the average speed on the bridge and its approaches doesn't drop below 10 mph under the speed limit more than 10 percent of the time."

Friday, May 9, 2008 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight