The psychology of tolls
Governor Christine Gregoire proposed today to pay for half the four billion dollar cost of a new 520 bridge with tolls.
That could well mean starting to collect tolls for the new bridge long before it's finished...even collecting the toll on I-90 to help pay for 520.
A panel will be put together to help assess the public tolerance for tolls. Bottom line, how much is too much?
Last year, WSDOT started charging up to three dollars one way to help pay for the new Tacoma Narrows bridge. About half as much, if you have one of those "Good to Go" electronic tolling stickers.
But they've got you when it comes to peninsula travel. What's the alternative? Take the ferry? That will land you in a line and a much higher ferry fare. Drive around through Olympia? Can you add up the costs of driving at more than three bucks a gallon, just to end up caught in traffic on I-5?
The equation across lake Washington is likely to be much different. If they don't charge tolls on I-90, does the interstate start to plug up like 520 does now? If the tolls are too high, do people drive around the lake through Renton in the South to Bothell in the north. Or do more people just take the bus.
One suggestion is make the tolls higher during rush hour and less off-peak.
What is your tolerance for tolls?
Comments from our readers
my tolerance is as low as my trust that the money will go for its intended purpose. remember the gas tax to fix the roads and levies on the recent river flood.I travel the city every day with my job thats bad enough!last job i worked was in try state New York for 60 days an i had a 700$ tole bill in that small amount of time.
Posted by: Jeff Rogers | January 10, 2008 6:54 PM
Toll an existing bridge? Better check the laws... I'm willing to bet there's something on the books about tolling a bridge in the state after the original toll bond is paid. A good example, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, only the new bridge is tolled, not the old one.
Posted by: Chris Swanson | January 10, 2008 10:38 PM
The drive over Lake Washington, riding between the Emerald City and the best-in-class suburb of Bellevue should be something every American gets to experience. COnsider ourselves blessed to have such great scenery/roads/cities. I will gladly pay the toll to keep connected to the Pacific NW. That being said, I know all too well what a trip from Boston to NYC really cost the driver and I don't think our tolls should come anywhere near those amounts. I would pay $5 one-way...$100 per month for a high-speed pass if offered.
Posted by: Brandon | January 11, 2008 2:04 AM
with gas prices as high as they are, theres no way im paying 5 dollars to get to and from work. I live in Wallingford and work in Bellevue. 10 dollars a day 4 weeks a month thats 200 a month. Thats more than i pay for gas, (which is bad enough) and gets me more than just to work and back. not to mention how backed up 520 is without stopping to pay. thats going to be bad. I would be adjusting my commute to take I90 for sure, Just like everyone else will.
Posted by: Taylor | January 11, 2008 9:52 AM
Im all for Tolls on the bridges. Let the people that use the roadway pay for it.
Posted by: Homer | January 17, 2008 5:29 PM
Pay if you use it! I love that system! I live in bellevue and go to Seattle and will happily pay for the bridge I use! I think the gas tax should be higher too---then people would consolidate their errands, use smaller cars, and ride bikes. And then, maybe---JUST MAYBE---Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland would put in some DECENT bike paths along heavily traveled routes.
Posted by: PayForUse | February 4, 2008 5:44 PM