Lawmakers Give Official Green Light to Toll 520

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In January, Governor Gregoire announced her support to toll the 520 bridge. Today, Gregoire announced lawmakers have approved the aggressive strategy to toll the 520 bridge to help finance the cost of building a new floating bridge across Lake Washington. The toll amounts have not been finalized. The new bridge will cost $4 billion, and commuters will pay for half. According to the Seattle Times, the toll could be as much as $7 each way during rush hour. The idea is good—we need a new bridge.

Rumblings in Eastside crowds wonder how this will impact traffic on I-90. It is likely many 520 drivers will re-route. Those fortunate to have an I-90 commute to Seattle currently have been enjoying a luxurious congestion-free ride with the multiple-lane expressway. Is saving $14 a day worth driving the extra three miles from 520 to I-90? Some may think so. But wait, the State may toll I-90, too.

Photo by Musely courtesy of the Seattlest Flickr pool.

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By Tera in News on April 1, 2008 3:00 PM

Comments [rss]

LarryB

Let's have a real alternative put in place before slapping tolls on bridges.

I'd be happy to pay a toll on a new bridge, but not before it's built. Like everything else in this state, the money will get allocated to something else, probably because of some ill-conceived voter initiative.

I'd be even happier to have a transit option that didn't take twice as long as driving.

And no, I'm not about to quit my job, or move to the Eastside.

joeqa

I would feel better about this if I didn't feel like we were being bamboozled:

They used the money to seed five high-profile experiments, in New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Miami and Seattle, that feature "congestion pricing" -- tolls that increase when traffic is heavy. The idea is to reduce traffic by discouraging some motorists from driving during peak hours.

As it is, I feel like the Dems are a bunch of cowards, too afraid to do the political heavy lifting needed to produce a truly fair financing program for the bridge.

mib

A "good idea" as you say? I'm all for tolling folks for utilizing the new bridge AFTER it is built, but before?? That is ridiculous. It flys in the face of reason. Do you trust it will even get built??? Does anyone remember the monorail?? We paid and were never refunded our $$'s when it didn't get built. Make them build then we pay, just like every other responsible business or service must do.