Motorists who crossed bridge during refinery fire being mailed toll bill

[Newsjock]

Source: KTVU

While Richmond-San Rafael Bridge toll takers were sheltering in place to avoid unhealthy air from a fire burning at the nearby Richmond Chevron refinery Monday evening, motorists crossed the toll plaza without paying.

But the bills were in the mail, a Caltrans spokesman said Tuesday.

The fire, which broke out at the oil refinery at 6:30 p.m., prompted a shelter-in-place order to residents in nearby areas, which affected toll takers at the bridge.

Cash-paying drivers, who drove past empty tollbooths as employees were hunkered down in the toll plaza office, will be billed the $5 toll, Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus said.

Read more: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/motorists-who-crossed-bridge-during-refinery-fire-/nQC9t/

[shanti]

1. i did this accidentally once

thought i was in the cash lane, but was really in the fastrack lane, going too fast, and it was too late to switch lanes. i was sure i would be billed, but never was

[leftyohiolib]

2. you know nowadays there could be a bench warrant out for your arrest

[Zalatix]

3. A bench warrant? What a waste.

These bridges should be paid off by now, anyway.

[badtoworse]

5. They don't maintain themselves

[Zalatix]

6. No road does. Does that mean they all need tolls?

We could fund those bridges and everything else by cutting back on our wars.

[Fla Dem]

9. Yes, if your state sold the road to a private company.

The state no longer maintains the road, the private company does, so they do not get taxes to pay for the upkeep. Only way to get money is to put up toll booths.

[Zalatix]

10. Privatization is incredibly stupid.

[leftyohiolib]

7. agreed but bench warrants are being issued for debts

[Zalatix]

8. Yup, and it's a great way to clog up the courts. And jails, too.

It's also a great way to make the roads cost even more when you consider the cost of tying up law enforcement over this.

[shanti]

11. lucky me

[oldhippie]

4. Good. They used the bridge, why should .....

... they not have to pay the toll? It's their fair share of the infrastucture costs.