Traffic light as tolling begins on the 520 Bridge
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SEATTLE - Tolling on the Highway 520 floating bridge across Lake Washington has begun, and traffic remained light in the early morning.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said the first car to pay a toll on the 520 bridge at 5 a.m. was a Honda CRX... going 76 mph!
Thursday marked the first day commuters were charged to cross the heavily used span. But many key questions remain, specifically how many drivers are using the "Good to Go" stickers, which allow automatic billing? Or how many plan to revolt and driver around the bridge or use Interstate 90? which is not tolled for now.
State transportation officials said between 5 and 7 a.m. Thursday, there were about 50-65 percent fewer vehicles on the bridge than the same period on Wednesday. And of those who crossed the bridge Thursday, about 75 percent had the transponders activated.
Those without the sticker will be billed by mail for the toll - plus a $1.50 surcharge.
Officials say the real test will come next Tuesday, when more people return to work.
By the way, the WSDOT says their tolling system does note the speed at which cars pass through the tolling booth, but it isn't monitored and no tickets can be issued.
For More Information:
Good to Go! site
520 bridge replacement information
The Washington State Department of Transportation said the first car to pay a toll on the 520 bridge at 5 a.m. was a Honda CRX... going 76 mph!
Thursday marked the first day commuters were charged to cross the heavily used span. But many key questions remain, specifically how many drivers are using the "Good to Go" stickers, which allow automatic billing? Or how many plan to revolt and driver around the bridge or use Interstate 90? which is not tolled for now.
State transportation officials said between 5 and 7 a.m. Thursday, there were about 50-65 percent fewer vehicles on the bridge than the same period on Wednesday. And of those who crossed the bridge Thursday, about 75 percent had the transponders activated.
Those without the sticker will be billed by mail for the toll - plus a $1.50 surcharge.
Officials say the real test will come next Tuesday, when more people return to work.
By the way, the WSDOT says their tolling system does note the speed at which cars pass through the tolling booth, but it isn't monitored and no tickets can be issued.
For More Information:
Good to Go! site
520 bridge replacement information
