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Chief
03-07-2008, 05:19 PM
http://www.vbjusa.com/stories/2008-03-07/a_toll_on_trucking.html

One-way tolls could be as high as $10 for freight trucks crossing the I-5 bridge

BY CHARITY THOMPSON of the VBJ
March 7th, 2008

The Columbia River Crossing locally preferred alternative will not be issued until May or June, but it looks like the most expensive option – a minimum $2.8 billion replacement bridge with light rail – is preferred by many involved with the project.

The project also may require at least $3.1 billion in preliminary costs, on top of the $2.8 billion, according to CRC documents. Construction could begin in 2010 and end in 2017.

Tolls are expected to cover one-third of CRC project costs with the rest coming from local, state and federal sources in equal shares. The CRC task force estimates the tolls could be as high as $10 each way for freight trucks – considerably higher than peak-hour commuter tolls, estimated at $2.50 one-way, according to CRC documents.

Rates, which are set by the Washington Transportation Commission, would vary depending on vehicle size and time of day. Draft charts show they could be as high as $20 round-trip for large trucks during peak times or as low as $1 round-trip for cars from midnight to 5 a.m.

Freight vehicles are expected to foot about 24 percent of the tolls while they make up 8 percent of traffic on the current I-5 bridge, according to CRC documents.

**SCHNIPP**

I would expect that trucks would be tolled at a higher rate than cars, but I had not heard until now just how much...

Good read.

Waterbuffalo
03-07-2008, 07:15 PM
I would suspect a truck loaded with sand or gravel coming across at 8am or 5pm will get sucker punched, while a driver who's going to work at 1am at Johnny Mart on Hayden Island is probably going to see the least amount.

Its all going to be directed at the time of day and who is using it. I'm all for it.

I'm for FAIR tolling. But there is not going to be an exchange (for Chief) of these tolls for the average person from Clark County. Honestly we're all going to get stuck with it.