I grew up in Woodland Heights in the late 1950s/ early 1960s, and we always paid a toll on that bridge, I am not aware that anyone at that time got across it for free. At the time, though, the little toll takers house was ON the bridge, not at the end like it is now.
The long time residents of Westover Hills can provide more information, but apparently there was a time when the residents got passes to cross the bridge.
In early years, Westover Hills residents were given free access across the bridge by the use of a special license plate that was attached below the state plates on their cars. These plates had to be applied for and were also sold to the general public. They were changed each year, and in the last years before RMA control, windshield stickers were used.
I think that article brings up an intersting point. I mean, the bridge is only a quarter and I don’t really mind paying it, but it does seem a little unfair that Westover Hills people would have to go at least twice as far and way out their way to get to the same destination.
I think that makes it the only bridge in town where using it isn’t really optional, so a toll of any price does seem a little bit like a tax on residents.
Well, the toll increase for the Boulevard Bridge has been approved (by the RMA themselves, of course). Their reasoning, as stated in today’s RTD article, was that if they left the tolls on the smaller accesses at their current rates, then they would unwittingly increase traffic on those routes. Perhaps. The RMA’s PR person,though, gives the reason: when the RMA purchased the bridge their “traffic and revenue consultants” said tolls should be applied to everyone including residents in southside neighborhoods. I do not despise user fees, but I would like to think that the RMA is going to use this increase for maintenance of the Boulevard Bridge, which has not been cleaned in recent memory. We even had a neighbor who used to periodically call the RMA to let them know when the light bulbs had burned out of the lamps on the bridge!
I grew up in Woodland Heights in the late 1950s/ early 1960s, and we always paid a toll on that bridge, I am not aware that anyone at that time got across it for free. At the time, though, the little toll takers house was ON the bridge, not at the end like it is now.
The long time residents of Westover Hills can provide more information, but apparently there was a time when the residents got passes to cross the bridge.
In early years, Westover Hills residents were given free access across the bridge by the use of a special license plate that was attached below the state plates on their cars. These plates had to be applied for and were also sold to the general public. They were changed each year, and in the last years before RMA control, windshield stickers were used.
I think that article brings up an intersting point. I mean, the bridge is only a quarter and I don’t really mind paying it, but it does seem a little unfair that Westover Hills people would have to go at least twice as far and way out their way to get to the same destination.
I think that makes it the only bridge in town where using it isn’t really optional, so a toll of any price does seem a little bit like a tax on residents.
Well, the toll increase for the Boulevard Bridge has been approved (by the RMA themselves, of course). Their reasoning, as stated in today’s RTD article, was that if they left the tolls on the smaller accesses at their current rates, then they would unwittingly increase traffic on those routes. Perhaps. The RMA’s PR person,though, gives the reason: when the RMA purchased the bridge their “traffic and revenue consultants” said tolls should be applied to everyone including residents in southside neighborhoods. I do not despise user fees, but I would like to think that the RMA is going to use this increase for maintenance of the Boulevard Bridge, which has not been cleaned in recent memory. We even had a neighbor who used to periodically call the RMA to let them know when the light bulbs had burned out of the lamps on the bridge!
I’m doing some research on the Nickel Bridge in conjunction with another project involving this area of town.
Is there anyone around who still has one of the old “free pass” liscense plates for Westover Hills residents?
I’m also looking for great pictures of the bridge or any fun stories.