CHOKEPOINTS

State wants input on 3 toll options for SR 99 tunnel

May 22, 2018, 2:22 PM | Updated: Jun 4, 2018, 1:52 pm

SR 99 tunnel, Seattle tunnel...

Looking north at the future southbound (upper) deck of the SR 99 tunnel. (WSDOT)

(WSDOT)

The Washington State Transportation Commission wants your input on how to toll the new SR 99 tunnel, expected to open to drivers as soon as Oct. 2018.

Tour the SR 99 tunnel: Crews finish roadways inside the passage

The there are three toll rate options under consideration that would take effect from when tolling begins in 2019 through at least June 2020. They all include a rate of $1.50 – $2.25 during peak travel times.

Option A: 
• Toll rates range from $1.50 – $2.25 during peak travel times and $1 overnight.
• The midday toll rate is $1.25.
• There are four different toll rates over six time periods on weekdays.
• Beginning in July 2022, toll rates increase 3 percent, every three years for all days of the week.

Option B:
• Toll rates range from $1.50 – $2.25 during peak travel times and $1 overnight.
• The midday toll rate is $1.
• There are four different toll rates over eight time periods on weekdays.
• Beginning in July 2020, there will be annual toll rate increases of 3.5 percent for five years that will apply to the weekday rates only.

Option C:
• Toll rates range from $1.50 – $2.25 during peak travel times and $1 overnight.
• The midday toll rate is $1.25.
• There are five different toll rates over seven time periods on weekdays.
• There are no toll rate increases during first five years of tolling. Then there are three toll rate increases of five percent each, taking place in July of 2024, 2029, and 2034, for all days of the week.

The transportation commission will hold public input meetings:

Monday, June 4
4 – 5 p.m.: Open house on tunnel project and tolling
5 – 6:30 p.m.: Public input meeting on tolling options
Seattle Public Library, Washington Mutual Foundation Room
1000 4th Ave., Seattle

Tuesday, June 5
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Open house on tunnel project and tolling
6:30 – 8 p.m.: Public input meeting on tolling options
High Point Community Center, Multipurpose Room
6920 34th Ave. SW, Seattle

Wednesday, June 6
5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Open house on tunnel project and tolling
6:30 – 8 p.m.: Public input meeting on tolling options
Phinney Center, Blue Building, Room #7
6532 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle

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State wants input on 3 toll options for SR 99 tunnel