Toll Hikes Planned For 520 Bridge, 99 Tunnel And Tacoma Narrows

GIG HARBOR, WA — The Washington State Transportation Commission is one step closer to increasing toll rates at the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, SR 520 Bridge, and SR 99 Tunnel. If the proposals get their final approval next month, two of the rate hikes would go into effect later this fall.

At a WSTC meeting Wednesday, commissioners selected three proposals to increase tolling rates, one for each thoroughfare. Here is how each passage would see its tolls rise:

SR 99 Tunnel

Under the WSTC's chosen proposal, the SR 99 Tunnel would see toll rates raise 15 percent across the board beginning October 1. The percentage-based increase would mean that cheaper toll periods, like from midnight to six a.m., would only see tolls raise 15 cents, but the afternoon peak, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., would have tolls raise from $2.25 to $2.60.

The proposal would come in addition to a reoccurring 3 percent toll hike starting July 1, 2022 and every three years after that.

SR 520 Bridge

Unlike the 99 tunnel, the 520's toll rate is not a flat increase. Overnight toll rates would remain unchanged from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., but weekday peak hours would be extended an hour later in the morning, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and in the afternoon, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tolling during peak hours costs an additional $1.10.

Other daytime tolls would increase between 20 and 55 cents.

The SR 520 toll rate changes would begin July 1, 2023.

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

Under the selected proposal, all three payment options for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge would cost 25 cents more beginning on October 1. That would mean the Good To Go! pass rate would rise from $5 to $5.25, the toll booth rate would grow to $6.25 and the Pay By Mail rate to $7.25.

The WTSC says a one-time toll rate increase has been in the works for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge since 2018, and would be the bridge's final rate increase between 2021 and 2030.

Transportation officials say the toll hikes are necessary to make up for a $72 million shortfall caused by the pandemic, the Seattle P-I reported.

Public comment open

The effort to raise tolling rates began in earnest back in May, the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) started work on six proposals, two options per tolling location, to raise tolls at the Narrows, 520 and 99 Tunnel.

Now that those proposals have been narrowed down to one option each, the WTSC will be taking public comment on each proposal through Aug. 24, when the commission will hold a final hearing to adopt the toll rate changes.