Toll rates on the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge will go up on September 1. The Port of Hood River Commission approved the increase on the recommendation of the newly formed Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Authority, with base toll rates for passenger vehicles for cash-paying customers, going from $2.00 to $3.50 per crossing. Bridge users that have signed up for the Port’s prepaid tolling system, BreezeBy, will see an increase of 75 cents per crossing rate, going from $1.00 to $1.75 per crossing for two-axle vehicles. Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood says all of the new toll revenue will be used solely for building up cash reserves required for a federal construction loan. The Bridge Authority says $70-$150 million in local toll revenue is needed to complete the funding package for construction of a replacement bridge.