Gig Harbor: The World's Largest Gated Community?

Yesterday I took a trip over the Narrows Bridge to Gig Harbor. The new bridge project seems to be humming along, with much of the bridge deck now in place. WSDOT estimates that the 12 million pound, $849,000,000 bridge will be completed in Summer 2007. At that time the original bridge will be closed for approximately a year to complete repairs and updating.

Despite the clear need for traffic relief at the Narrows Bridge and all along HWY 16, there are still many unanswered questions as to how the new bridge will effect life on the Peninsula. The new $3.00 toll will clearly have an effect on people who make the daily commute to Tacoma and other East Puget Sound areas. Will low income people from the Peninsula be able to afford $90.00 a month simply to get to their jobs?

One Gig Harbor resident believes that Gig Harbor will quickly become the World's Largest Gated Community. By imposing the toll on low income families, he believes many will be forced to move to Tacoma just to afford their cost of living. This would leave mostly upper and middle class families in the harbor. While this is unlikely to happen overnight, it's not inconceivable that in 20 -30 years, Gig Harbor, Purdy, and even the Key Peninsula will be exclusive havens for the well-to-do.

What are your thoughts on the bridge project, tolls, and its effect on the Peninsula communities?