520Bridge.jpg
A state transportation panel is proposing a 2.5 percent rate increase for tolls on the 520 bridge. (AP file)

State seeks higher tolls on SR 520 bridge

BY Josh Kerns  on March 19, 2013 @ 6:04 pm (Updated: 7:36 am - 3/20/13 )

The cost to cross the SR 520 bridge could soon be going up if a state transportation panel has its way.

The Washington State Transportation Commission on Tuesday proposed a 2.5 percent toll-rate increase for the bridge, which would go into effect July 1.

The new rate is part of the state's plan to increase tolls by 2.5 percent per year through 2015 to help pay for construction of the new 520 bridge.

Peak tolls would increase to $3.70 for Good to Go! pass holders, and peak Pay By Mail rates would climb to $5.25.

Even with the toll increases, the state still faces a $1.4 billion shortfall for the new new $4.1 billion, six-lane Highway 520 floating bridge.

Officials are moving ahead with a plan to add tolls to I-90 to help offset the cost. A group of Mercer Island residents and leaders have launched an effort to fight it.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Nature's Reality Check
    We can conquer terrorism, cure cancer, but a tornado can remind us of our insecurity

  • Back to Work
    Ten observations from practice that only a backup, middle child, left-handed QB can provide

  • Going 'Bulworth'
    When Obama is exasperated with the ways of Washington, he dreams of getting honest
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (23)


  • Add A Comment

  • soo purletiv wrote...
    I owned a dirt shop
    March 19, 2013 6:39 pm
    At some point, my sales slowed. People still needed dirt, but they had other options so they bought from other dirt stores that were either closer to them (fuel and or delivery costs and or vehicle maintenance is a factor these days)or that sold at a lower price point.

    I decided to brainstorm with my management team as to what we needed to do to increase sales, or at least bring our bottom line up. They all convinced me that if I raised my price point, I will make more per sale which would increase my bottom line.

    Not understanding supply and demand, competition and basic economics (who does that remind you of?) I agreed with excited anticipation.

    To this day, I still don't understand what went wrong with that plan and the 3 or so subsequent price increases we implemented with the intent to increase profits.

    I have had a lot of time to think about it since I filed for chapter 7. With the new business I started (selling dirt) I have approached things differently. I started out selling for a lower price point with customer service emphasized. Sales were booming and profits increasing as I slowly raised my price point. But, again, for some reason, as I increased my prices to a certain level, sales started to decrease. My management team, yes I still consult the same guys that got me in to the red with my previous company for major decisions (they are college educated after all), still hold to the increase in price mindset. And I agree. It seems so simple; charge more, make more, right?

    Can someone please help me!

    Why do my profits continue to decline though I charge MORE for my product?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    $1,000 a trip [one way, no vote needed]
    March 19, 2013 7:11 pm
    and no less. We might as well pay off the Arena too!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    My wife drives the bridge daily
    March 19, 2013 7:14 pm
    And there is less traffic than I-90 but during peak hours it's still crowded. Raising the tolls by a few cents isn't going to deter many people, it's more convenient, faster to Lk. Union where she works and we have to grow up and realize that this isn't "Lesser Seattle" anymore. If you don't know what "Lesser Seattle" is you should move back to California or Nebraska and tell everyone to stay away from Seattle. I could only hope that they take all the republicans with them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    Soo
    March 19, 2013 7:42 pm
    ???????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ longwayhome
    March 20, 2013 2:30 pm
    I know, right?

    And I wrote it at a layman's level...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    I am sorry
    March 19, 2013 7:50 pm

    But I don't like being taxed for mismanaged projects in the tune of billions of dollars and then nobody get's fired for blowing billions.

    How responsible are our legislator if they have to tax us to pay for there mistakes, this is crazy. Lake City Way and I-5 here I come because I refuse to give money to a mismanaged project that has no clue how to work with a budget and/or manage there contractors.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    I own a dirty shop
    March 19, 2013 7:51 pm
    xxxcop come in every day with his quarters to watch movies.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • TwoTrees wrote...
    'State seeks higher tolls on SR 520 bridge.'
    March 19, 2013 8:43 pm
    This is my surprised face :|
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HikerACE wrote...
    This is not news.
    March 19, 2013 10:24 pm
    Tell us when they decide not to raise the toll. That would be news.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dexterjibs wrote...
    of course they do
    March 19, 2013 11:00 pm
    this is what government does.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    These greedy
    March 20, 2013 12:13 am
    dirt bags are using these tolls as a general revenue stream to pay for OTHER things. Even when this boondoggle of a bridge gets built, don't expect the tolls to end, unless we FORCE them to!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Country_Dog wrote...
    If you need more dirt
    March 20, 2013 6:13 am
    for those bags,

    I know a business that sells it.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vern ivan wrote...
    Problem?:
    March 20, 2013 1:34 am
    Got a problem gettin' across the lake? Drain it, fill it with the tunnel spoils and expired politicians. Growing weary of all the tax dollars supporting 10% of the population while 90% struggle just to get out the driveway. I know a tool pusher that could drill a hole right through the bottom of the lake and drain it like a new sink. Super skate board area. Go around or get a boat. Open up some ground for the homeless camps to inhabit. Holy by goly, humans are the scourge of the planet.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }