Comments on: Rep. John Ley files legislation to prevent tolling on the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project

By: Margaret

Margaret — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:32:31 +0000

In reply to B. L. Bacigalupi. The cost for the light rail component is currently ~ 1.875 Billion, and is expected to go up. The whole cost is expected to go up, to be announced later in 2025. A pattern with these mega projects are lowball cost estimates to get a project approved, then the costs go up significantly. At the same time, benefits and the number of people forecast to ride the light rail are exaggerated in order to get approval. Over-estimates about the number of people riding the light rail has been the case with this I-5 Bridge project for years.

By: B. L. Bacigalupi

B. L. Bacigalupi — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:06:26 +0000

The majority of the $7.5-billion cost of the bridge is for light rail. The tolls will be for the purpose of subsidizing light rail. As you sit in your car waiting to pay the very expensive toll, you will be able to watch the mostly empty light rail cars zip right past you. This bridge is really a scam on motorists.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 18:26:29 +0000

In reply to Margaret. PS. Who collects the tolls? Is it is a third part company? do the contracts go out to bid?

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:06:44 +0000

Tacoma Narrows Bridge was built in 2007. The state borrowed roughly 87 percent of the $786 million cost (approx. $684 million). After 17 years, the principal loan balance has been paid down only about $98 million (approx. 14.3% of the $684 borrowed). This is unbelievable. After 17 yrs., the state has paid off only about 14.3% of the loan of $684 million. Who in their right mind would ever consider bridge tolling to be an effective means of loan repayment????

I have an idea… how about trimmin’ all the fat off the current plan and just build a simple bridge that can handle more traffic, no light rail (busses are good), a 10′ sidewalk for both pedestrians and cyclists, and call it a day? Get the two states and the feds to split costs evenly and NO TOLLS. We don’t need a glorious monument (current plan); we need a simple bridge to handle more cars and trucks. And, oh yes, don’t spend another friggin’ dollar until the Coast Guard approval is in hand!

Or an even better idea… leave the current bridge as is, and then build a third bridge before anything else is built. Have the costs split 3 ways, without tolling !!!

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 23:22:24 +0000

"Additionally, the cost of collecting the money for tolls is estimated to be between 19 and 68 cents per dollar paid..The gas tax has a less than one percent cost of collection." or $10 Toll, $6.80 goes to pay to collect toll vs. gas tax less than $1 to collect toll. Trucks and freight would pay a huge toll. eg,SR 520 Bridge in a 6 axle truck toll $20.70 one way @ peak hours, 7-10 am or 3-7 pm, pay by mail. Carpools and motorcycles pay tolls too. The financiers are the big winners, at the expense of toll payers.