One scenario would have the toll rate be between $1.55 and $3.20 until the bridge is completed, at which point the maximum toll rate would go up to $3.65
TJ Martinell
The Center Square Washington
A subcommittee for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program to construct a new Interstate 5 Bridge across the Columbia River from Vancouver to Portland has adopted recommended tolling scenarios for consideration by the Washington and Oregon Transportation Commissions.
The four scenarios unanimously adopted by the Bi-state Tolling Subcommittee at its July 19 meeting offer the commissions a variety of different rates that vary not only depending on the status of the bridge’s completion, but how the rates are adjusted during weekends in response to traffic levels.
One scenario would have the toll rate be between $1.55 and $3.20 until the bridge is completed, at which point the maximum toll rate would go up to $3.65; that same scenario would have the toll rate increase by 2.15% annually, while providing a 50% discount for low-income drivers upon the bridge’s completion.
The scenario with the highest rates would range from $2 to $4.75 prior to the bridge’s completion, yet that rate would remain once it’s finished. The toll rate would increase by 3% every two years, while it would break up weekend rates into three separate categories.
Three of the four scenarios would have the same truck toll rates that would be either 1.5 or three times the regular toll rate.
The tolling program is one piece of the financial puzzle to cover not only the cost of the bridge’s construction but its ongoing maintenance and preservation. According to bridge replacement planners, the toll program will need to provide at least $1.24 billion in capital funding for the bridge’s construction, while also generating enough revenue to meet future financial obligations.
In addition to $600 million obtained through a National Infrastructure Project Assistance program grant, the project recently secured $1.5 billion in Bridge Investment Program funding.
The state transportation commissions will ultimately vote to adopt tolling rates before the program begins. They are scheduled for a joint meeting on Oct. 1 to be held in Vancouver.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Opinion: TriMet contract: MAX vehicles cost $4.5 million
Rep. John Ley examines TriMet’s MAX vehicle purchases, arguing most were replacements and not connected to the bridge project. - Expect delays on I-5 near Woodland for bridge inspection, May 18WSDOT will close a lane of southbound I-5 near Woodland on May 18 for a safety inspection.
- Opinion: ‘I’m more than just a little skeptical that IBR officials are doing everything they can to limit the cost of this project’
Ken Vance shares his concerns over rising costs and limited contractor interest in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. - Letter: ‘IBR has relied on this video to instill fear in the public and government officials to promote the construction of a new bridge’Bob Ortblad questions IBR’s use of a seismic video and urges a shift toward tunnel alternatives in this critical letter to the editor.
- Troubled TriMet and fleecing taxpayers with LRTJohn Ley analyzes TriMet’s ridership decline and what it signals for post-pandemic public transit in the region.
The numbers you show above are just the start.
If you look at other toll roads in this state, you’re see a long, painful history of increased tolls that will eventually, slowly be increased to at least the double digit level.
Tolls on the 520 floating bridge right now? $5.80 now, closing on $7 after August 15.
Tolls on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (which were, they lied, a “one time toll rate increase”) $6.50.
The other way they jack you around is to lengthen the amount of time tolls will be paid.
Unbelievably, for example, they added a year to tolling to pay on the Narrows Bridge…. sales tax for the bridge construction… $57.6 million.
On what planet should the state pay itself sales tax for building a state facility?
Then the insanity of the Highway 99 tunnel as part of the horrific waste of money in getting rid of the Alaska Way Viaduct,
Expect them to engage in the same variety of rip off for this unwanted, unneeded, unaffordable scam designed to ram loot rail, with its additional billions in costs, down our throats as they expand that fungus throughout Clark County. Longer than promised lengths of tolling (with the appropriate excuses) and, of course, the horrific amount of sales tax the state will also extort from commuters.
Despicable.
I agree. Washingypm state is not whay ee used to have. Its time for me yp go now..
Btw inslee needs o go
Earth to brain dead politicians, you need additional bridges not replacing an existing bridge. You think your traffic is a nightmare now just wait till government spends more time planning your traffic relief.
The “process” will slow, inflation will rise, and we can all “thank” Don Benton.