The 520 Tolling Implementation Committee has released the results of its second round of evaluation of tolls across Lake Washington.

The legislature established this committee in May and named as its members Bob Drewel, executive director of Puget Sound Regional Council; Paula Hammond, secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation; and Dick Ford, commissioner of the Washington State Transportation Committee.

The committee is consulting with local jurisdictions in the Lake Washington area and seeking public input about how tolls can help pay for a new SR 520 bridge between Seattle and Bellevue.

A final report on comments from the public and local jurisdictions is due to the governor and legislature in January 2009.

At a media briefing, Drewel explained that the committee is shooting for $1.5 billion to $2 billion to fund the 520 bridge.

“Getting tolling right is critical to getting the bridge built,” he said.

A presentation included various tolling scenarios that could be implemented, but no decisions have been made yet.

“We are not the decision-makers, we are simply doing homework for the legislators,” said Drewel.

Citizens are being engaged on options such as funding a portion of the 520 replacement project with tolls on the existing bridge, funding the 520 replacement project and improvements on both the I-90 bridge with a toll paid by drivers on both bridges, providing incentives and choices for transit or carpooling and/or implementing variable tolling as a way to reduce congestion.

The committee’s been asked to consider criteria such as “reasonableness” of the tolls, how much bridge funding can be generated for each tolling scenario, the diversion effects that tolling will have on other routes, the performance of the bridge (potential congestion relief) if tolls are enacted and the impacts tolls may have on low-income bridge users.

Hammond remarked, “The most important thing is to generate enough money. We need to display to the public what it will take to improve the corridor.”

NINE SCENARIOS

Of the nine possible tolling scenarios, four have been previously discussed and five (denoted with asterisks) are new.

1) Toll 520 in 2016, when the project is complete.

2) Toll 520 in 2010, when construction begins.

3) Toll both bridges in 2016.

4) Toll 520 in 2010 and I-90 in 2016.

* 5) Use a flat rate toll on 520 (in 2016).

* 6) Maximize funding by tolling only 520.

* 7) Toll 520 in 2010 and increase the rate in 2016.

* 8) Toll 520 at a higher rate than I-90 in 2016.

* 9) Toll both bridges in 2010.

TOLL RANGES

Drivers would pay the highest variable toll rates during the times that bridge usage is typically highest. The following ranges are based on 2007 dollars and it assumed that tolls would increase with the rate of inflation:

• Morning commute (5 a.m.-9 a.m.): $2.15-$4.25

• Mid-day (9 a.m.-3 p.m.): $1.05-$2.75

• Afternoon commute (3-7 p.m.): $2.80-$5.35

• Evening (7-10 p.m.): $1.00-$2.60

• Overnight (10 p.m.-5 a.m.): $0.00-0.90

• Weekend $0.80-$1.60

• There is also a possibility that one flat rate toll of $1.70, regardless of time of day or traffic conditions, could be implemented.

PUBLIC INPUT

Open houses include one at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island on Monday, from 3-7 p.m., with a presentation taking place at 5 p.m.

Interested citizens may also participate in a Web survey at www.build520.org.

All comments are due by Monday, Nov. 30, and may also be submitted by e-mail at info@build520.org or by mail to the following address:

520 Tolling Implementation Committee c/o Puget Sound Regional Council, 1011 Western Ave., Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98104-1035.