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Here's why the WSTC wants new toll rates for SR 520 bridge

Washington State Transportation Commission wants higher toll rates on the new State Route 520 bridge, but not as high as initially proposed.

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In a news release, a spokeswoman said the proposal would raise the rate to 5 percent by July, which is a smaller increase than an earlier planned double-digit increase.

Why an increase? Here's what WSTC says: The new SR 520 bridge, opening to traffic this month, is required to generate $1.2 billion in toll revenue to cover a portion of the bridge's cost.

Here's the reason it's actually lower than first proposed: The commission originally called for an approximately 15 percent increase in toll rates in 2016, but WSTC determined that a more modest increase would be sufficient to meet financial requirements.

The commission's SR 520 toll rate proposal is as follows:

  • Weekday and weekend toll rates would increase 5 percent on July 1, 2016, and 5 percent on July 1, 2017. 
  • The annual 5 percent increases would equate to weekday, peak period tolls increasing 20 cents each year.
  • That means that the current weekday, peak period toll rate would go from $3.90 to $4.10 in 2016 and to $4.30 in 2017. 
  • Nighttime tolling (11 p.m. - 5 a.m.) would begin on July 1, 2017, at a flat rate of $1.25. 

The new, $4.5 billion floating bridge, which is the largest in the world, features six lanes and connects Seattle to communities east of Lake Washington.

It opened to westbound traffic on Monday, more than a week after its grand opening. See photos from the ribbon-ceremony here.

While the WSTC is proposing rate changes over two years, it will assess traffic and revenue collections in early 2017, before the second increase goes into effect on July 1, 2017.

If you have something to say about the rate proposal, you can attend public input meetings, which are scheduled as follows:

Seattle: 

  • Union Station, Sound Transit Board Room
  • 401 South Jackson Street
  • Thursday, April 21
  • Open House:  11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Public Meeting:  12 - 2 p.m.

Bellevue: 

  • Bellevue City Hall, Council Chambers
  • 450 110th Avenue NE
  • Thursday, April 21
  • Open House:  5:30 - 6 p.m.
  • Public Meeting:  6 - 8 p.m.

If you are unable to attend the public meetings can also submit written comments on the proposal via email at transc@wstc.wa.gov or by mail: WSTC, PO Box 47308, Olympia, WA,  98504

Stay updated on traffic alerts by downloading the free KIRO 7 News app here.

Cox Media Group

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