State tolling staff and the bi‑state tolling subcommittee told the committee on Sept. 15 that they are completing a level‑3 traffic and revenue analysis and plan to bring proposed toll rates and policies forward for public input in 2026. Carl Cee, deputy director for the Washington State Transportation Commission, said the commissions will use the analysis to present rate and policy options in a bi‑state outreach program and that commissioners expect to adopt rates after public comment.

Key numbers and options: Program staff presented four scenarios that target two different revenue goals. Staff told the committee that scenarios 1–3 were designed around a roughly $1.24 billion toll revenue target while scenario 4 was sized toward $1.6 billion. The scenarios differ by weekday and weekend hours, peak period rates, escalation schedules and truck‑multipliers. Carl Cee noted the scenarios include consideration of a 50% low‑income discount; the options differ on timing: some models apply the discount "as soon as practicable," while others assume it begins when the new bridge opens.

Why it matters: Committee members pressed staff about the equity implications of starting pre‑completion tolling before a low‑income discount or transit alternatives are in place. Senator Pham asked why low‑income drivers would pay full tolls during an interval when alternatives will be limited; staff responded that operational and enrollment systems for a low‑income program must be established and reliable before full rollout, and that Washington has legislative direction to begin a toll relief pilot (gateway program) with initial elements by Dec. 2026.

Exemptions and trucks: Staff said the subcommittee is evaluating exemptions and discounts, including tribal exemptions, transit vehicle policies and state workforce vehicles. Truck multipliers under consideration range from 1.5x/3x to 2x/4x passenger‑vehicle rates; staff noted the 1.5/3x option aligns with existing Washington practice. Ed Barry of WSDOT’s toll division described customer‑service system preparations, education and back‑office work needed to add the new facility to the Good To Go program.

Public outreach and schedule: Commissioners plan a bi‑state public outreach campaign in 2026 after the level‑3 net‑revenue analysis is complete. Travis Brower (ODOT deputy director) said the subcommittee recommended phasing that would start pre‑completion tolling on the existing bridges in 2027, with rate escalation timed to preserve revenue where start dates slipped.

Ending: Staff emphasized rates and policies must comply with each state’s law and that commissions will adopt rates separately but with coordinated public outreach; they asked the committee to submit written questions to staff for follow‑up.