BATA Draft Budget Projects First $1 Billion Toll Revenue Year
Authority Board • Bay Area Toll AuthorityMay 27, 2026
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The Bay Area's toll bridges are about to generate more money than ever, and the bill to keep them standing is climbing too. At its May 27, 2026, meeting, the Bay Area Toll Authority's Authority Board received a draft fiscal 2026-27 operating and capital budget that staff said marks the first year toll revenue will top $1 billion. The draft was informational only, and no vote was taken.
- Toll revenue to cross $1 billion for the first time in fiscal 2027, staff said
- San Mateo County Bridge spending flagged by a commissioner reviewing the draft budget
- Staff defends preventive maintenance as the way to hold down long-term bridge costs
A $1 Billion Milestone for Bridge Tolls
Why it matters: Toll revenue is BATA's core funding stream for maintaining and rebuilding the region's state-owned toll bridges. Crossing $1 billion gives the authority more capacity for an aging, costly system. That capacity will be tested as repair bills grow.
The basics: BATA's budget has two parts. The operating side covers day-to-day costs. The capital side funds long-term rehabilitation and construction on the bridges. The board will review this year's draft before any formal adoption.
Where things stand: Derek Hansel, BATA staff, presented the draft fiscal 2026-27 budget and pointed commissioners to the packet materials. He framed the revenue figure as a milestone.
"Fiscal '27 is going to represent the first time that we cross $1 billion in toll revenue for the system," said Hansel.
Hansel said this is money the board has worked to make available for capital needs. No commissioner questioned the headline revenue figures during the presentation.
Concrete Trouble on the San Mateo Span
One commissioner opened with praise for a formatting change. "We actually have page numbers now. I want to thank staff so much for that," the commissioner said. The commissioner then pointed to San Mateo County Bridge spending on page 46, which the clerk later identified as Attachment C1.
Hansel called it a very expensive project involving concrete spalling. Spalling is the chipping and flaking of a concrete surface, often a sign of deeper deterioration. He said costs rise as crews uncover more serious problems once work begins. Catching that damage early is meant to keep costs lower over a bridge's lifecycle.
"It is why we work so hard on the preventive maintenance," said Hansel.
The other side: No commissioner challenged the spending or the maintenance approach on the record. The exchange was brief, but it was the only line-item scrutiny of the draft. It flagged where cost pressure is building.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The board took no action. Daily bridge commuters and freight operators who pay tolls fund the system and depend on its upkeep. The $1 billion figure strengthens BATA's ability to pay for repairs, but the San Mateo County Bridge discussion shows that rehab costs can grow once work is underway. Contractors and the agencies that manage the bridges are directly affected by how capital dollars are prioritized.
What's next: Formal action on the budget is expected at a later meeting. No date was announced. Readers can review the draft budget summary, the Attachments A–H and the staff presentation. Two questions to bring to the adoption hearing: What does San Mateo County Bridge work cost under Attachment C1? How much of the new revenue is committed to preventive maintenance?
Minor Items
- April 22, 2026, minutes approved on a motion by Commissioner Gina Papan, seconded by Commissioner Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft. The clerk declared the vote unanimous among members present (For: all members present, Against: 0, Absent: 3 — Abe-Koga, Burt, Mahan).
- Chair Sue Noack participated remotely, citing a just-cause exception for the caregiving needs of a parent. Vice Chair Stephanie Moulton-Peters presided over the meeting.
- No chair's report was delivered.
Looking Ahead
The board adjourned to the MTC meeting. No date was given for the next Authority Board meeting or for budget adoption.