Here's a Q&A on questions about the toll for the State Route 520 bridge. Do you have more questions you'd like answered? Put your questions in the comments.
1) What's this about a toll on State Route 520?
The State Route 520 Bridge, which began life as a toll bridge, is now a toll bridge once again, as of 5 a.m. Dec. 29.
2) How much is the toll?
Check out our chart below for information for most cars and motorcycles. The toll schedule includes a $3.50-peak hour toll in both ways, but the toll varies depending on the hour.
The toll is .
3) Will there be toll booths? How will the state collect the toll? Do I need to buy the pass?
The state does not plan to have staffed toll-booths on the SR-520 bridge. The toll will be collected several ways:
1) Good-to-Go: an electronic payment system that involves setting up an account with the state, purchasing an electronic transponder to install in a vehicle and having the toll deducted from that account whenever the vehicle crosses the 520 bridge. This account can be used to cross other toll bridges, such as the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and the HOT lanes, such as the ones on State Route 167.
2) By mail: The state will record license plate numbers of cars they cross the 520 bridge, so anyone who crosses and who has not paid can expect a bill in the mail. The state will take on a $1.50 fee to the base toll. The state has the ability to bill those in other states, because of reciprocal agreements with other states. The owner of the car will have up to 80 days to pay the toll before the state issues a Notice of Civil Penalty, and the driver may face fines and other fees.
3) Pay by Plate: Motorists may set up a toll account with the state without purchasing a Good-to-Go pass. The state will track these motorists by their license plates as they cross the 520 bridge, and these drivers will have a 25-cent fee tacked on to the base toll rate.
4) Customer-initiated: Motorists can save 50 cents from the Pay by Mail rate by calling, going online, or going to a customer service center to pay the toll within 72 hours of crossing the bridge. There will be signs in the SR 520 corridor alerting drivers on how to Pay By Mail.
Motorists can purchase a Good-to-Go pass and open an account at the Washington State Department of Transportation service center, 13107 NE 20th St., Bellevue. Customers can also purchase passes at local Safeway, QFC, Costco or Fred Meyer stores, but they .
The Washington State Department of Transportation has a website with frequently asked questions.
4) Will there be a toll on Interstate 90?
No. This may cause some issues with congestion as people by crossing Lake Washington via I-90. However, , according to the WSDOT.
The legislature is scheduled to consider tolls on I-90 in 2014, after a study is completed, according to WSDOT toll division director Craig Stone.
5) Why will there be a toll?
The state has a . Improvements include landscaped lids over portions of 520, a wider roadway, increased carpool lanes, a bicycle and pedestrian lane and environmental upgrades. The state legislature decided that $2.37 billion of the amount will be paid through state and federal funding and tolls. Where the rest comes from has yet to be determined. The entire project is slated to be finished by 2014.
Toll Rate for 2-axle vehicles (cars, pickups, SUVs and motorcycles):
Mondays - Fridays
Good To Go!Pass
Pay By Mail
Pay by Plate
Customer- initiated
Midnight to 5 a.m.
0
0
0 05 a.m. to 6 a.m.
$1.60
$3.10
$1.85$2.60
6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
$2.80
$4.30
$3.05 $3.807 a.m. to 9 a.m.
$3.50
$5.00
$3.75 $4.509 a.m. to 10 a.m.
$2.80
$4.30
$3.05 $3.8010 a.m. to 2 p.m.
$2.25
$3.75
$2.50 $3.252 p.m. to 3 p.m.
$2.80
$4.30
$3.05 $3.803 p.m. to 6 p.m.
$3.50
$5.00
$3.75 $4.506 p.m. to 7 p.m.
$2.80
$4.30
$3.05 $3.807 p.m. to 9 p.m.
$2.25
$3.75
$2.50 $3.259 p.m. to 11 p.m.
$1.60
$3.10
$1.85 $2.6011 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
0
0
0 0Saturdays and Sundays
Good To Go! Pass
Pay By Mail
Pay by Plate
Customer- initiated
Midnight to 5 a.m.
0
0
0 05 a.m. to 8 a.m.
$1.10
$2.60
$1.35 $2.108 a.m. to 11 a.m.
$1.65
$3.15
$1.90 $2.6511 a.m. to 6 p.m.
$2.20
$3.70
$2.45 $3.206 p.m. to 9 p.m.
$1.65
$3.15
$1.90 $2.659 p.m. to 11 p.m.
$1.10
$2.60
$1.35 $2.1011 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
0
0
00
