Toll rate increases go into effect for Seattle's SR 99 tunnel, Tacoma Narrows Bridge

After being approved earlier in the summer by the Washington State Transportation Commission, toll rate increases went into effect Friday for Seattle's state Route 99 tunnel and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Transportation officials warned lawmakers last year that toll rate increases were likely to make up for a $72 million shortfall in revenue brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. After reviewing multiple options for the increases earlier in the spring, from across-the-board hikes to tailored increases during "peak" hours, the commission finalized the plans in August with increases going into effect starting Oct. 1.

Commissioners noted that while the majority of the public did not support increases, not acting would cause the commission to not meet financial obligations.

"It is really difficult right now to ask people to pay more because we are facing some challenging economic times right now and a lot of people are out of work," said Reema Griffith, executive director of the Washington State Transportation Commission.

For the SR 99 tunnel, the commission approved a 15% uniform increase, raising tolls between 15 and 35 cents depending on the time of day starting this October. Additionally, another 3% toll rate increase will go into effect on July 1, 2022. Drivers with a Good to Go pass currently pay between $1 and $2.25 to use the tunnel based on the time of day.

The tunnel, which only began tolling in Nov. 2019, had a gross toll revenue $12.2 million lower than expected in 2020. The new increase is expected to shore up net revenues for the tunnel through 2025.

For the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the commission approved a 25 cent increase which would go into effect starting in October. Drivers in a two-axle vehicle with a Good to Go pass currently pay $5 to use the bridge.

The increase was approved even though it has seen the fastest recovery during the pandemic as the state legislature stipulated the increase in 2018. While recovery has been faster, the bridge was still $14.2 million below the pre-COVID forecast.

The commission also approved toll rate increases for the SR 520 floating bridge, but those will not go into effect until 2023 after the state legislature approved an estimated $50 million for bridge maintenance for the 2021-2023 biennium.

While a uniform increase was preferred for the SR 99 tunnel and Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the commission took a different approach for the rate increases on the SR 520 bridge, voting for a 15% tailored increase during peak hours in the morning and afternoon. Drivers with a Good to Go pass currently pay between $1.25 and $4.30 to use the bridge depending on the time of day.