State to narrow down SR 99 tunnel toll rate
Jul 16, 2018, 10:02 AM
View of the southbound lanes at the north end of the SR 99 tunnel in Seattle. (WSDOT)
(WSDOT)
We will soon have a better idea of how much drivers will pay to use the new SR 99 tunnel under Seattle when it opens.
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The Washington State Transportation Commission is expected to select one of three toll rate options during its meeting on Tuesday, July 17.
The options are:
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 the first five years of tolling. Then there are three toll rate increases of 5 percent each, taking place in July of 2024, 2029, and 2034, for all days of the week.
All three options are projected to generate enough revenue to cover costs, which include toll operations, maintenance, and debt payments associated with construction. It will cost about 53 cents to collect each toll, costing the city hundreds of millions, according to recent reports.
Washington state’s tolled roads
Though the commission is expected to select one of three options, it will not be final. It will have to go through public review and comment before the commission can take final action to adopt the toll rates, which will happen later this year.
The tunnel could open to drivers as soon as fall of this year.
