Toll rates on Seattle's SR-520 bridge and SR-99 tunnel could increase by 15%
Drivers in Seattle and Tacoma could soon be paying more in tolls to make up for revenue shortfalls brought the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Washington Transportation Commission met Tuesday to discuss the process for setting tolls on the state Route 520 bridge, state Route 99 tunnel and Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Earlier in November, state transportation officials warned lawmakers that toll rates could increase to make up for a $72 million revenue shortfall.
Now, those increases are coming to fruition as soon as this fall with a variety of options presented to the commission.
"Our system is funded assuming drivers are going to drive," said Reema Griffith, the executive director of the transportation commission. "The committee is trying to do its best to keep [toll rates] as low as possible while still meeting financial requirements ... it is really difficult right now to ask people to pay more because we are facing some challenging economic times right now and a lot of people are out of work."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/toll-rates-on-seattle-s-sr-520-bridge-and-sr-99-tunnel-could-increase-by-15/ar-BB1gFH2v
