Tolls to increase on 520, Narrows bridges starting Sunday
»Play Video
SEATTLE - It's going to cost more to cross the Highway 520 floating bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge starting Sunday.
For the 520 bridge, the increase is not all that jarring. But it's a different story on the Narrows Bridge between Tacoma and Gig Harbor, where a double-digit increase will take effect.
The state Department of Transportation says the price hikes are necessary for toll revenues to keep up with expenses and inflation - especially since the finance plan for the building of the new 520 bridge requires raising $1 billion.
The 520 toll hike will amount to pennies more per trip. For example, that weekday rush-hour commute between Seattle and Bellevue, where the fare is currently $3.50 using the Good-to-Go pass, will go up to $3.59.
That's a 2 1/2 percent increase that will affect all rates, and it's the first of four rate hikes that are planned through 2015.
Over on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, there's a bigger sticker shock.
After much debate and a string of public hearings that had a lot of people up in arms, drivers will need to fork over another $1.25, on average, to cross the water.
That means the Good-to-Go price will chime in at $4 for the eastbound toll. Paying by cash will be $5, and pay-by-mail goes to $6.
For those who don't want to pay the higher toll on the Narrows, there aren't too many options to avoid it.
On the 520, commuters can take Interstate 90 or go around to the north.
For the 520 bridge, the increase is not all that jarring. But it's a different story on the Narrows Bridge between Tacoma and Gig Harbor, where a double-digit increase will take effect.
The state Department of Transportation says the price hikes are necessary for toll revenues to keep up with expenses and inflation - especially since the finance plan for the building of the new 520 bridge requires raising $1 billion.
The 520 toll hike will amount to pennies more per trip. For example, that weekday rush-hour commute between Seattle and Bellevue, where the fare is currently $3.50 using the Good-to-Go pass, will go up to $3.59.
That's a 2 1/2 percent increase that will affect all rates, and it's the first of four rate hikes that are planned through 2015.
Over on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, there's a bigger sticker shock.
After much debate and a string of public hearings that had a lot of people up in arms, drivers will need to fork over another $1.25, on average, to cross the water.
That means the Good-to-Go price will chime in at $4 for the eastbound toll. Paying by cash will be $5, and pay-by-mail goes to $6.
For those who don't want to pay the higher toll on the Narrows, there aren't too many options to avoid it.
On the 520, commuters can take Interstate 90 or go around to the north.
