It's getting cheaper to use the Tacoma Narrows Bridge

How often do you hear about tolls going down in Washington state?

The Washington State Transportation Commission has signed off on a 75 cent toll reduction for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. This basically means the cost of crossing the bridge will go from $5.25 to $4.50 (it's more expensive if you're paying with cash or by mail).

The vote came down after Tuesday's public hearing. The new lower rate will cover most vehicles (those with two axles) and will kick in Oct. 1.

This adds up to savings of $195 annually for drivers using the toll bridge five days a week.

The toll reduction on the bridge is thanks to some money the state Legislature approved earlier this year. The new funds to pay for the bridge means that drivers don't have to spend as much to cross it. The flat 75 cent reduction is the result of months of meetings and public comment.

The tolls are being used to pay off construction of the eastbound span of the bridge, which opened in 2007, increasing its capacity. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a major connection between Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula. The initial span was built to handle 60,000 cars each day. It currently serves more than 90,000 cars.

Fun fact: The west and east Tacoma Narrows Bridge spans are the 61st and 62nd longest suspension bridges in the world ( 2,798 feet). That might not sound too impressive, but at least we're bigger than that measly, sorry excuse for a suspension bridge, the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, at 2,309 feet.