May 2013
- In February 2013, we completed the I-90 Tolling Project scoping process. During the process, we hosted three public scoping meetings and fielded more than 3,400 comments.
- We will publish the Scoping Summary Report this summer.
Overview
The SR 520 and I-90 bridges work together to form the Cross Lake Washington Corridor, a system of bridges and roads that connect the region's major employment centers over a 22 mile long body of water.
In 2011, WSDOT began tolling the existing SR 520 bridge to generate $1 billion in revenue towards completion of the new bridge, however, an additional $1.4 billion is still needed to complete safety and mobility improvements on the I-5 to Medina section.
Why is WSDOT
pursuing this project?
If the necessary improvements on SR 520 are not completed, there is a 20% risk over roughly the next 50 years that a catastrophic event would shut down the SR 520 approach to I-5. Additionally, congestion on I-90 has increased by 15,000 vehicles a day since SR 520 tolling began in December 2012. Tolling I-90 would encourage some of those trips to return to SR 520.
In the 2012 Transportation Budget Bill ESHB 2109, the Washington state Legislature asked WSDOT to “undertake a comprehensive environmental review of tolling Interstate 90 between I-5 and I-405 for the purposes of both managing traffic and providing funding for construction of the unfunded SR 520 from I-5 to Medina project…”
The End Result
Revenue from I-90 tolls could fund the necessary improvements on SR 520 between Medina and I-5, allowing for a safer, more reliable Cross Lake Washington Corridor.
Washington is one of 15 states participating in the federal Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP), a platform that encourages states to test and implement tolling to manage highway congestion and generate revenue to construct needed improvements.
Project Benefits
Completion of the Cross-Lake Corridor will:
- Improve operations by using variable tolling to balance traffic, reduce delay and increase reliability for cars and transit.
- Provide a safer SR 520 crossing of Lake Washington with completed SR 520 improvements from Medina to I-5.
- Reduce the risk of I-90 bridge dependence if SR 520 shuts down from Montlake to I-5 in the wake of a catastrophic event.
What is the project timeline?
- June 2012-Sept. 2013 – Environmental analysis
- Jan.-Feb. 2013 – Scoping period
- May 2013 – Scoping Summary Report published
- Nov. 2013 – Environmental assessment comment period
- January 2014 – Finalize environmental assessment
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
The I-90 Tolling Project’s environmental study is funded with $3.32 million of federal and state dollars.
For additional information on the SR 520 Program financing, visit SR 520 Costs, Funding and Tolling.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
E-mail: I90Study@wsdot.wa.gov
Infoline: 1-888-520-NEWS (6397)
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