CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : $3 Toll OKd for Golden Gate Bridge

A $3 toll has been approved by the board of the Golden Gate Bridge Transportation District, which faces a deficit of $120 million over the next five years. The vote to approve the $1 hike came a day after the increase won the backing of the board’s finance committee. The deficit stems at least in part from losses in the toll-supported Golden Gate Transit bus and ferry system. In addition, a consultant has recommended spending $120 million to reinforce the span against a major earthquake. The new toll will go into effect July 1. Gene Prat of the Marin United Taxpayers Assn. said the increased toll would help his group’s efforts to disband the district. “The backlash is that there is going to be an army of protesters going to Sacramento to abolish the bridge district,” he said.