I know this news is everywhere, but here’s a friendly reminder that tolling starts on the 520 Bridge between Seattle and the Eastside on December 29.
There’s lots of information out there, but here are a few key things to know.
What are the rates?
Toll rates vary by time of day and on weekends. You’ll be able to see the current toll rate on an electronic sign at the east high-rise of the 520 Bridge.
There is a lower toll rate for vehicles with Good To Go! accounts, and a higher rate for vehicles that receive a bill through Pay By Mail. Here’s the complete SR 520 Bridge toll rate schedule.
What about public transit?
When you take public transit, you don’t pay the toll. To help people make the switch to public transit in advance of the tolls, King County Metro and Sound Transit added 130 daily bus trips to routes on SR 520 for a total of 700 every weekday. Find out more at www.kingcounty.gov/get-you-there or www.soundtransit.org/520bridge.
Where does the toll money go?
The tolls will help pay for the new 520 bridge, which is scheduled to open in 2014. The new bridge is designed to withstand major earthquakes and windstorms, and will have HOV lanes that will make bus trips more frequent and reliable.
It will also be built to 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.