WSDOT has been charged with finding a way to finance the deep-bore tunnel that is supposed to replace the Viaduct; yesterday they broke out five different tolling scenarios [pdf] to address the $400 million in construction costs unaccounted for so far. The overall project cost–at the 15-percent design stage–remains at $3.1 billion, though the tunnel portion has risen $60 million due to design changes.
(Oddly, the Seattle Times has two stories on the tunnel tolls, one which declares, “Construction estimates for the bored-tunnel portion of the highway remains at about $1.9 billion, same as the state predicted a year ago,” and one which says, “Construction cost estimates for the bored-tunnel portion have risen somewhat–to $1.96 billion, instead of $1.9 billion a year ago.”)
One plan–a low rate for peak hours on the tunnel only–raises only $100 million. Toll rates for rush hour in the four remaining plans run from $3.50 to $5 each way, and there are tunnel-only flavors, and options which also include tolls for segments of SR 99 north and south of the tunnel.
For a weekday work commuter, that would run between $140 and $200 per month in tolls (or from $1,700 to $2,400 per year). A commenter on West Seattle Blog opined the tolled tunnel would be, “Kind of like a secret passageway for the rich.” For back story on how the “optimal peak toll” has risen from $0.31 in a 2002 WSDOT study to today’s $4ish gouging, visit the Seattle Transit Blog.
Interestingly, WSDOT envisions the toll being assessed completely electronically, without toll booths. If you have a toll transponder in your car, the fee will be assessed that way. Otherwise, cameras will detect your license plate, and whomever the car is registered to will be billed.
This is so idiotic. No one (who isn’t very wealthy) is going to use this stupid thing if it’s $3.50 and I-5 is free.
for a while, at least.
You’ll get used to paying for the road you use (what a concept). Yes, there are a lot a odd variances, and if you want to spend a lot of effort dodging tolls, it’s not that hard. But – after you’re used to it, you just don’t pay that much attention. Think frog in a pot of warming water.
Bottom line – after a while, people don’t care, and adjust their lifestyles accordingly.
I remember when 520 had a toll, and I never went to Bellevue. Now it’s free and, well, I rarely go to Bellevue. Not sure what that proves, beyond the unattractiveness of going to Bellevue.