11/28/07-Truck drivers and motorists in Washington state would have to keep their wallets handy while traveling in the state, if leading lawmakers in the state get their way.
Key legislators at the statehouse say charging a fee to highway users isn’t too far down the road. They want to send legislation to the governor during the next regular session that would create a framework for collecting tolls, Northwest Public Radio reported.
The new Tacoma Narrows Bridge already is tolled. A new 520 floating bridge between Seattle and Bellevue would also be tolled.
Transportation leaders at the capitol predict tolling to be more widespread in the state’s not-to-distant future. They cite Puget Sound voters’ rejection this month for a massive roads and transit funding measure.
Proposition 1 was intended to improve traffic congestion in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. By an overall margin of 45 percent in favor and 55 percent opposed, voters opted not to increase sales and vehicle taxes for transportation improvements.
Senate Transportation chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen said there is no denying that tolling is in the state’s future.
Along with House Transportation chairwoman Judy Clibborn, they are drafting legislation for consideration during the session that begins Jan. 14 that would give the Washington Legislature authority to impose tolls on unspecified roads and bridges. An appointed panel would set the rates that could continue to be collected after a project is paid off.