Who’s going to pay for this bridge?

Since tolling began on the 520 bridge, the number of cars crossing the Sammamish River Bridge in Kenmore has climbed.

The mayor, David Baker, doesn’t think it’s fair to have his residents cover the $20 to $40 million for a replacement and he’s proposing a toll.

“It’s not Kenmore residents that are using and wearing out that bridge. We have over 23,000 cars a day that cross that bridge,” Baker told the Dori Monson Show.

He explained that the state actually anticipated more traffic to surrounding cities as the tolling on 520 began and there was money built in to the plan to help cover the burden.

“All of a sudden, there is no mitigation. They have taken it away,” said Baker. “This road is experiencing the increase in traffic simply because of the diversion that’s a result of the tolling.”

If might not even be paying a toll if they approve the proposal. Baker wants to make sure they’re only charged a cent, but he would prefer they get to drive over the bridge for free. Non-Kenmore residents would pay $1.

Dori argued that the people driving around the lake to avoid tolls would not have fair representation, but would have to pay for the improvements.

Instead, he recommended spending less money on public art and make that money available for the city’s infrastructure.

“You raise a good point and it’s a way this society has chosen to structure things. I don’t necessarily agree with things. It’s the law right now,” Baker said.

He explained the public art comes from all new construction and there’s a one percent fee.

“Believe it or not, that one percent fee came off the $57 million we spent constructing a highway.”