The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced that tolls will begin next month for those who use the SR 99 tunnel in the Renton area. It is expected that these will affect the number of drivers who commute to downtown Seattle.
The tunnel opened in February and drivers have not had to pay any tolls so far. Charging for using the tunnel was initially scheduled to begin over the summer, but the date was pushed back by the WSDOT as the contractor had some issues regarding the tolling technology.
The WSDOT expects that some drivers will no longer use the tunnel once the tolls begin, while others may return to it.
Patty Rubstello, assistant secretary of the WSDOT, said that the SR 99 tunnel has been highly successful, yet it is expected that traffic patterns will shift once the tolls begin. She added that as much advance notice as possible is being given so that drivers can prepare themselves for the tolls. The WSDOT is encouraging drivers to open a Good To Go! Account. More information about such tolls and their impact can be provided through flyer printing.
The funds collected from the tolls will be used to pay off bonds worth $200m, which were by the state to build the tunnel, which cost $3.3bn.
The tolls will begin on Saturday, November 9.
