The Luke Burbank Show - 10am on KIRO Radio
 Luke Burbank
Tune in
Tune in to KIRO Radio weekdays at 10am for The Luke Burbank Show.


Luke Burbank: Why tolling I-90 is unfair

BY Josh Kerns  on January 30, 2013 @ 12:16 pm

tolls_I90_notolls_daveross.jpg
KIRO Radio's Luke Burbank argues tolling I-90 unfairly limits access to thousands of struggling drivers who can't afford it. (Dave Ross/KIRO Radio image)
While many Mercer Islanders are up in arms over talk of tolling I-90 between Seattle and the Eastside, KIRO Radio's Luke Burbank argues the toll would be unfair to thousands of others on both sides of the water.

The state is considering the tolls to help cover a $1.4 billion shortfall on the new SR 520 bridge. But Burbank calls it an "access issue," arguing many simply couldn't afford what could mean possibly $10 a day.

"I mean that's a couple hundred bucks a month. I mean there are a lot of people that the line - and I have been this person at times in my life - the line between making it, paying your bills, is $200 or $100 every month."

Burbank says it's only fair to continue allowing at least one toll-free road across Lake Washington, rather than requiring drivers to head through Renton or Kenmore to avoid the tolls.

He insists he's not opposed to increasing other fees like car tabs or taxes that take people's finances into consideration, like the housekeepers who have to travel from South Seattle to a luxury hotel in Bellevue.

"If you drive a nice car, a $40,000, $50,000, $70,000 car, I think you can afford to pay a little more on your tabs than somebody who's driving an old beater," Burbank says. "You can't just increase the gas tax because a lot of people have to drive far to work and can't afford it."

But what about commuters in other parts of our state like those forced to pay tolls crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or riding ferries across the Puget Sound?

Burbank, whose parents live in Silverdale, argues that's different because they knew "what they were getting into" when they moved there.

"I think just basically putting a huge sign up on Lake Washington that says 'You shall not pass unless you have $10 you can spare right now,' I worry what that means for access."

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 Luke Burbank

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 (30)


  • Add A Comment

  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Its so nice spending other peoples money
    January 30, 2013 11:23 am
    isnt it Luke

    No where do you take the state to task for uncontrolled spending, or total unaccountability for what is spent.

    Just raise taxes, Typical.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • logical open mind wrote...
    Luke-this is merely the start of more and more taxes that hurt the middle working class while libs give more and more freebies away.
    January 30, 2013 12:49 pm
    Look at the total of all the welfare programs and you will find one needs to make well over 50K per year to offset the gov handouts. You and libs have screwed this country up. This is only the start. Moron!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JohnQEveryman wrote...
    ehh
    January 30, 2013 11:26 am
    I'm sorry, but anyone that lives on an island should, in some way, expect a higher transportation cost of some sort. I don't hear the residents of the Orcas complaining about ferry costs (though I'm not generally listening for it) and while I think tolling on I-90 isn't a wise decision, 'unfair' is comical. People in FL and PA and NJ live and must use tollroads to get around and they fair just fine... I think the wealthy on Mercer won't need to file for bankruptsy protection if they have to pay a few hundred dollars a year in tolls. But again, I think tolling I-90 is a terrible idea.. all that traffic will hit 405 or I-5, both of which are terribly over-crowded as it is.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Problem is John
    January 30, 2013 11:31 am
    Ive read that they want to go all the way to Cle Elum with tolling.

    There is also a move to Toll I-5 from north to south, all of I-90 and 405.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JohnQEveryman wrote...
    meh
    January 30, 2013 11:50 am
    I'm OK with tolling, provided there is substantive improvement to the roads and commute. Seattle has HUGE problems with poor design, like going from 4 lanes to 2 through downtown (north) and lack of HOV lanes through most of Seattle. The problem is this state does crap like HOT lanes, but where is all that money going? It's just a waste. I hate to admit it, but I almost wish we parsed toll roads out to private companies like Texas does; the roads are well-maintained and traffic actually moves. Our current method isn't working.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    JohnQEveryman wrote... I don't hear the residents of the Orcas complaining about ferry costs
    January 31, 2013 5:59 am
    You would if the riders had to pay the actual cost. The rest of the state subsidizes the Island people.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JohnQEveryman wrote...
    ...
    January 31, 2013 8:31 am
    So why can't the same be done, within reason, for the residents of Mercer? See, that's my point: there are options, rather than this black/white tackling of the issue.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    are they going to toll
    January 30, 2013 11:50 am
    mommy's basement door?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Well, here's a first. i'm actually agreeing with Luke Burbank.
    January 30, 2013 11:56 am
    AND - also - with Dori, who's also ranting about this today.

    I-90 is part of the federal highway system and was paid for years ago. To toll its bridges by fiat - and without a vote of the people - is unjust, to put it mildly, if not unethical or even illegal. ... Heck, if you can toll I-90, why not toll sidewalks?

    Oh, and to JohnQ - EVERYONE who depends on ferries only is up in arms over ferry fees - especially the summer surcharges. The ferry system is supposed to be a PART of the state highway system and, as such, tolls should be at least more reasonable.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • southi5 wrote...
    wow
    January 30, 2013 12:18 pm
    If you use the roads, you pay for them. Now you can understand how people in Eastern washington feel paying a gas tax and other taxes to fund projects on this side of the state, use taxes are the fairest way to go. Mercer Islanders complaining makes me laugh, feeling sorry for people's transportation issues, who made a choice to live on an island, isn't something I'm going to do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • southi5 wrote...
    one more thing
    January 30, 2013 12:21 pm
    You make the choice to live that far from work, cle elum etc., you pay the price, choices can cost you! Stay awesome King County!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 2shbag wrote...
    FYI
    January 30, 2013 12:29 pm
    I 90 is a toll hiway from Boston to darn near Chicago. Granted it only cost about 20 bucks for that distance but it is still a toll on I 90.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JohnQEveryman wrote...
    ...
    January 31, 2013 8:36 am
    I actually prefer how Chicago does tolls. In Texas, you're constantly paying tolls, while still on the tollway, rather than when you get on and off. The worst is the tollroad in Austin... it's something like $17 to drive 10 miles. The Turnpikes in PA, NJ and OH are a better way to toll, IMO.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mpgunner wrote...
    Can't believe what I'm hearing....
    January 30, 2013 2:10 pm
    So, you vote for Obama and the balk at toll's and taxes? I'm confused.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ratrustle wrote...
    Where's Tim
    January 30, 2013 2:17 pm
    Eyeman when we need him?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mavila wrote...
    What's unfair is...
    January 30, 2013 5:51 pm
    cry-baby Mercer Islanders demanding a lid over the western entrance to the island at taxpayer expense.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Jeddite wrote...
    ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION:
    January 30, 2013 7:12 pm
    Fill in the damned lake. Everybody wins AND loses!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }