Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tolling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissions outline tolling scenarios and public outreach; low-income discount considered but not guaranteed at pre-completion tolling start
Summary
Presenters described four toll-rate scenarios being modeled to meet different revenue targets, a Level 3 traffic-and-revenue study due early next year, and public outreach in 2026; commissioners are weighing whether a 50% low-income discount will apply at start of pre-completion tolling or when the new bridge opens.
Officials from Washington State Department of Transportation, the two state transportation commissions and the IBR program told legislators on Sept. 15 that toll-rate work is now in a Level 3, investment-grade stage and will support bonding, lender and credit decisions.
Ed Barry, toll division director at WSDOT, described internal preparations (customer service, back-office adjustments and communication plans) for pre-completion tolling on the existing bridges, noting the agency's "Get to Go" experience in other toll markets.
Travis Brauer, ODOT deputy director, and Carl C. (Deputy Director, Washington State Transportation Commission) explained the Bi-State Tolling Subcommittee's role in selecting scenarios and harmonizing state laws. They said the subcommittee has asked consultants to model four scenarios that vary weekday/weekend rates, truck multipliers and escalation, with scenario targets oriented to roughly $1.24 billion in revenue for scenarios 1— and a $1.6 billion target for scenario 4.
On equity, commission staff said all scenarios include a proposed 50% discount for low-income residents, but the timing differs across scenarios: some models assume the discount will apply "as soon as practicable" and others assume the discount comes into force when the new bridge opens. Carl C. told the committee operational readiness (eligibility, enrollment and systems) and statutory constraints inform phasing of a low-income program.
Public outreach: staff outlined plans for bi-state outreach in 2026, including virtual and in-person meetings, and said the Level 3 net-revenue results completed early in the year will form the basis for public comment and commission recommendations.
Next steps: the commissions expect to complete rate-setting actions, rulemaking and adoption steps in 2026 so that pre-completion tolling on the existing bridges could begin in 2027 if the timetable holds.
