Consultants say cashless tolling could raise $2.7M–$4.2M first year for Navarre Beach bridge; commissioners ask staff to bring formal action later

Jacobs Engineering on Oct. 9 presented a tolling revenue study to the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners as one option to fund long‑term repairs or replacement of the Navarre Beach Bridge and related seawall work.

Consultant Chris Phillips told the board Jacobs examined flat, variable and annual‑pass approaches for southbound tolling only and modeled traffic growth through 2050. Using a 7% net present value discount, Jacobs estimated first‑year net toll revenue of roughly $2.7 million under a $2 southbound toll scenario, $3.46 million at $3, and approximately $4.17 million at $4 (rates vary by scenario and include SunPass/plate differentials). Over 25 years the study projected a present‑value range of roughly $35 million to $54 million depending on the pricing plan and assumptions.

The consultant also outlined immediate maintenance needs the county faces at Navarre: an ongoing emergency seawall repair costing about $1.8 million for a single segment, additional seawall work on roughly 3,200 feet estimated at $9 million–$13 million in coming years, and other bridge maintenance estimated at $1–$1.5 million. DOT inspection notes showed corrosion, scouring and other wear; the bridge is listed as functionally obsolete though not imminently unsafe.

Phillips reviewed examples from nearby toll facilities (Bob Sikes, Garcon Point, Mid‑Bay Bridge) and explained toll‑by‑plate collection typically has a higher evasion and collection cost than SunPass‑type transponder systems. He said toll‑by‑plate evasion rates can reach 35% in some systems and recommended adding administrative fees to improve collection net revenue.

Commissioners asked whether local residents would need an account. Phillips explained a discounted annual pass requires an active SunPass account or equivalent plate‑linked account; customers can link a license plate without a transponder but must maintain the account for the pass discount to apply. Commissioners also discussed the option of targeting peak rates for tourist weekends.

The board did not adopt a tolling policy at the Oct. 9 meeting. One commissioner said he still supports advancing the PD&E (project development and environmental) study to seek additional federal or state funding, and another commissioner asked staff to return the matter as an action item for a future meeting, including the option to pause the ongoing toll study work with Jacobs. Staff said the county has an active task order with Jacobs and would need clear board direction to stop or continue work; if the board desires a pause or a formal decision it should be placed on a future agenda.

Clarifying details from the presentation: Jacobs said historical southbound daily traffic was about 4,000 vehicles per day in 2004 (with about $620,000 toll revenue that year). The 2023 DOT PD&E had estimated a replacement bridge cost in a broad range of $95 million–$197 million. Jacobs modeled seasonal and daily patterns and said summer and weekend peak pricing can materially improve revenue capture beyond a single flat toll.

Ending

The study provides revenue scenarios and cost context for the Navarre Beach Bridge. Commissioners directed staff to schedule a formal agenda item so the board can consider whether to pause the toll study, continue with the PD&E, or pursue other funding strategies.