General Questions
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Tolling on the SR 520 Bridge
Q. Why is WSDOT tolling the SR 520 Bridge?
A. Tolling on the SR 520 Bridge helps pay for the new bridge, scheduled to open in 2014. The new bridge is designed to withstand major earthquakes and windstorms, providing increased safety. When complete, it will include six lanes with two general purpose lanes and one carpool/transit lane in each direction. The new SR 520 Bridge will have HOV lanes that will make bus trips more frequent and reliable. It will also accommodate light rail in the future, have a pedestrian and bike path, and shoulder lanes to keep traffic flowing in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
Q. Why is WSDOT tolling the existing SR 520 Bridge?
A. The bridge pontoon construction and corridor improvements have already started. Tolling on the existing bridge during construction of the new one helps reduce the amount of project funding that must be financed, saving money.
Tolling also helps improve traffic flow on the existing bridge, since some drivers will choose to travel at off-peak hours, consolidate trips, use the bus, carpool or vanpool, or take alternative routes rather than pay the toll.
Q. Where are tolls collected?
A. Tolling equipment is installed on overhead signs at the east high-rise of the SR 520 Bridge structure. Electronic readers and cameras charge tolls at highway speeds. There are no toll booths.
Q. Are tolls collected in both directions?
A. Tolls are collected in both directions. The toll rates vary depending on the time of day, and the current toll rate is displayed on an electronic sign on the high-rise. Toll signage is posted on both sides of the bridge to alert drivers to the last exit before tolling begins.
Q. What is the last SR 520 exit I can take before being subject to the toll?
A. Headed east on SR 520 from I-5 in Seattle, the last exit drivers can take to avoid the toll is Montlake Boulevard.
Headed west on SR 520 from Bellevue/Redmond, the last exit drivers can take to avoid the toll is 92nd Avenue Northeast.
Q. Will tolling end when the project is paid off?
A. The legislation authorizing tolling on the SR 520 Bridge does not specify an end date. It is expected that tolls will continue on the bridge at least until the 30 and 40 year bonds are paid off. Revenue from tolling the bridge will only be used as authorized by the Legislature for bond payments, operations and maintenance within the SR 520 corridor.
Q. What are my options for taking transit across Lake Washington?
A. In anticipation of the start of tolling, King County Metro and Sound Transit have added 130 daily bus trips to routes on SR 520 for a total of 700 every weekday. Service has been increased on existing lines, and expanded into some areas that didn’t have bus service before. Many transit routes across the SR 520 and I-90 bridges also have night and weekend service. And when you ride the bus you don’t pay the SR 520 toll.
Visit kingcounty.gov/getyouthere/ or www.soundtransit.org/520bridge to plan your next trip across Lake Washington.
Q. What signs alert drivers SR 520 is a tolled bridge?
A. We’ve installed numerous signs along SR 520, I-405, I-5 and local city streets leading to SR 520 that indicate the bridge is tolled and which exit is the last exit before drivers must pay a toll.
The toll rates vary by time of day. The toll rate signs are located just prior to the toll point in both directions on the east high-rise of the bridge. If rate signs were installed at other locations the toll rate may change by the time drivers reach the toll point.
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Toll Rates and Exemptions
Q. What are the toll rates for the SR 520 Bridge?
A. Toll rates vary by time of day and on weekends to encourage driving during less-congested periods. There is a lower toll rate for vehicles with Good To Go! accounts, and a higher rate for vehicles that receive a bill in the mail.
Q. Why are SR 520 toll rate increases necessary?
A. As of July 1, 2012, toll rates on the SR 520 bridge increased 2.5 percent. Toll rate increases are necessary to ensure tolls generate enough revenue to meet construction-related bond payments. Based on traffic and inflation forecasts, this increase is the first of four planned 2.5 percent annual rate increases through 2015. However, no rate increase will occur without the Washington State Transportation Commission reviewing the latest traffic and revenue data to determine if a rate increase is needed each year and at what amount. More information on SR 520 toll rate setting.
Q. Who is exempt from paying tolls on the SR 520 Bridge?
A. Registered vanpools and transit are exempt from tolls on the SR 520 Bridge, along with emergency response vehicles such as police, fire and ambulances on bona-fide emergencies, Washington State Patrol vehicles assigned to the bridge, tow trucks authorized by the Washington State Patrol to clear a blocking incident, and bridge maintenance vehicles. Carpools and motorcycles are not exempt. The Washington State Transportation Commission is responsible for determining exemptions.
Q. Why do motorcycles pay the same toll as larger two axle vehicles?
A. Tolls are directed at all users of the bridge in order to meet funding requirements. Toll rates were determined based upon the number of axles on a vehicle, and motorcycles and cars both typically have two axles. Although motorcycles are allowed in HOV lanes on SR 520, their usage is based on safety considerations, not vehicle efficiency or people moving capability.
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How to pay the SR 520 toll
Q. How can drivers pay the SR 520 Bridge toll?
A. There are several ways to pay the SR 520 toll:
1. Good To Go! Pass - Drivers with a Good To Go! Pass will have their toll deducted from their prepaid account. With a Good To Go! Pass you will pay the cheapest toll. Find more information on Good To Go! accounts.
2. Good To Go! Pay By Plate - Drivers who prefer not to have a pass can set up a Pay By Plate account by simply registering their license plate number(s) on the account. When crossing the bridge, a photo is taken of the vehicle’s license plate and tolls deducted from a prepaid Good To Go! account. There is a $0.25 fee per toll transaction for Pay By Plate.
3. Pay By Mail - Drivers who do not have a Good To Go! account can Pay By Mail. A Pay By Mail toll bill will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle at a higher toll rate.
Q. How will visitors and infrequent drivers pay the SR 520 Bridge toll?
A. Visitors or infrequent drivers without a Good To Go! account can either set up a Short Term Account or Pay By Mail. Check out our visitor website for more information.
Q. How do I set up a Good To Go! account?
A. There several ways to open a Good To Go! account. The minimum opening balance for all Good To Go! accounts is $30. Learn more about how to open a Good To Go! account.
Q. Why did I receive a Pay By Mail toll bill?
A. You will receive a Pay By Mail toll bill if you traveled across the SR 520 Bridge and your vehicle was not registered under a pre-paid Good To Go! account. Those who don’t pay within 15 days of receving their bill get a second bill with a $5 reprocessing fee. People with unpaid tolls receive a notice of civil penalty and a $40 fine in addition to the late fee for each toll left unpaid after 80 days.
Q. What if I haven't received a toll bill in the mail?
A. If you haven’t seen a bill in the mail 14 days after your vehicle crossed the SR 520 bridge, you should call customer service at 1-866-936-8246.
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Traffic Monitoring
Q. What is WSDOT doing to help traffic since tolling started?
A. We’re coordinating with local jurisdictions to monitor key routes on highway and local streets. We are closely monitoring all of the Lake Washington corridors to determine how tolling affects traffic. Our monitoring work will compare traffic conditions after tolling to pre-toll conditions. We are also tracking travel times, coordinating signals, and collecting traffic count data on highways and local roads. We will regularly report on traffic conditions to the Legislature, local governments and the Transportation Commission. You can find SR 520 traffic reports online.
Q. Will the I-90 Bridge be tolled?
A. WSDOT is preparing an environmental assessment that will evaluate the effects of tolling Interstate 90 between I-5 in Seattle and I-405 in Bellevue. Tolls are being considered to generate revenue to help fund replacement of the SR 520 floating bridge. I-90 tolling will also help alleviate congestion on I-90 giving travelers a safer, more reliable trip.
Commuters and communities are encouraged to get involved with the project design and study process by learning about the project and submitting comments.
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