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Regional Funding

The Bay Area’s transportation network is funded in part through voter-supported regional measures on toll funding, and sales taxes on fuel. By looking at the needs of the region as a whole, MTC helps Bay Area residents get around.

Toll plaza at the Carquinez Bridge.
Credit
Mark Jones

Toll Funding

Toll funding on the Bay Area’s state-owned bridges help finance major improvements on infrastructure. These improvements decrease traffic congestion, ensure safety and create better options for getting around.

Regional Measure 3

Finances a comprehensive suite of highway and transit improvements.

Regional Measure 2

Pays for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects on and near the bridges.

Regional Measure 1

Financed major bridge and roadway improvements all around the Bay Area.

Transportation Development Act (TDA) & State Transit Assistance (STA)

Very small taxes on fuel fund big transportation-system improvements in California.

Operating Partnerships

The Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) works with the California Department of Transportation to finance the maintenance and operation of the region’s state-owned toll bridges.

BATA manages the Bay Area FasTrak® system in partnership with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, Alameda County Transportation Commission and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

Where Does the Money Go?

Your toll dollars go a long way for bridge, highway and transit projects all around the Bay Area. The regular $8 toll (effective Jan. 1, 2025) is managed as a single system that collectively sustains:

  • Toll bridge operations and maintenance: includes toll facilities, tolling equipment and software, FasTrak operations and customer service.
  • Administration and debt service: includes repayment of bonds for Toll Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program and projects approved by voters through Regional Measures; transit operations support; staff salaries and benefits; financing and banking fees; business insurance and BART Inspector General.
  • Toll Bridge Rehabilitation Program: includes decks, towers and superstructures; electrical and mechanical systems; concrete elements; and protective fenders.
  • Reserves: includes funds for two years of operations and maintenance; two years of bridge rehabilitation; emergency reserves; interest rate risk reserves; and self-insurance reserves.
  • Regional Measure 2 investments
  • Regional Measure 3 investments

Tolls from the growing network of Bay Area Express Lanes are used to close gaps in the region’s carpool lane system, and to finance operation of the Express Lanes.