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Judge Calls WSDOT’s 520 Bridge Analysis “Objective,” Dismisses Suit

Michael van Baker — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:02:18 +0000

The verdict was not particularly surprising: WSDOT has been aggressive with its timeline for the bridge construction, which has the effect of creating a sunk investment if the project is delayed or halted. Opponents of the bridge's expansion have had difficulty bending any "ears of power." In this economic climate, few are interested in taking the political hit sinking the mega-bridge would require.

With Tolls, New Larger 520 Bridge Could Serve Half as Many

Michael van Baker — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 19:38:42 +0000

Why would so much traffic divert? Tolls. As Mike Lindblom reports for the Seattle Times, WSDOT's financial projections call for some 48 percent of existing traffic to seek other routes, thanks to $3.50 Good to Go tolls on the bridge during peak hours (that's $5.00 if you haven't signed up with Good to Go). The tolls are supposed to increase 2.5 percent annually until 2017, at which time they will increase 15 percent.