Toll rates on Seattle s SR-520 bridge and SR-99 tunnel could increase by 15% by Callie Craighead, SeattlePI
Drivers in Seattle and Tacoma could soon be paying more in tolls to make up for revenue shortfalls brought the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Washington Transportation Commission met Tuesday to discuss the process for setting tolls on the state Route 520 bridge, state Route 99 tunnel and Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Earlier in November, state transportation officials warned lawmakers that toll rates could increase to make up for a $72 million revenue shortfall.
Now, those increases are coming to fruition as soon as this fall with a variety of options presented to the commission.
Push for electric cars could be âgame changerâ
Privacy, technology, and scale concerns remain challenges February 2, 2021 2:16 PM By Lillianna Byington
Pete Buttigieg, confirmed by the Senate Tuesday as transportation secretary, will take office with a funding crisis confronting the nationâs highway system.
The main source of federal money for highways and transit, the gasoline tax, hasnât been increased since 1993. Without additional revenue, the Highway Trust Fund will soon run out of money.
From his confirmation hearing to his run for the Democratic presidential nomination, Buttigieg has repeatedly floated a solution: a vehicle miles traveled tax.
Proposals for a VMT tax have been considered and rejected in years past. This time may be different, lawmakers and experts say. Increased investment in electric vehicles, Democratic control of Congress, bipartisan interest, and President Joe Bidenâs opposition to increasing the gas tax could ju