SEATTLE — Higher toll rates on the state Route 520 floating bridge begin Thursday.
The new tolls will be based on how heavy traffic is at a certain time of day. Between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., the toll will be $1.25. Between 5 and 6 a.m. the toll will increase to $2.50, and increase from there.
The lowest increase will be 10 cents but the highest increase will be 70 cents, between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. on weekdays. The only rate decrease coming to the bridge will be between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends, which will see a 10-cent decrease.
The Washington State Transportation Commission voted in late January to raise the rates to limit traffic impacts and raise money for construction.
The committee gathered public input between April 17 and May 1 as well as held public feedback hearings. Nearly 20,000 people provided input on the two options presented. Most people opposed both options but Option B, the tailored increase, got slightly more support than Option A, a toll increase across the board.
According to the survey, frequent users, weekend users, weekend midday users and those who identified as people of color showed a stronger preference for Option B.
Weekday midday users were the only group that showed a stronger preference for Option A, the survey said.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said the SR 520 bridge generated $17.4 million in toll revenue from October through December 2023, $149,000 lower than expected.