SURVEY: Highway 99 tunnel tolls are increasing. Choose one of two options

| Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

We reported back in May that the state Transportation Commission was starting the process of preparing for increases in tolls and ferry fares. We’ve since reported on the ferry-fare proposal. Now the commission has a survey open on proposed toll increases for facilities including the Highway 99 tunnel.

They’re looking for feedback on two options for raising toll rates starting October 1st, to cover a revenue gap. The two options: 15 percent for all dayparts, or 25 cents for all dayparts. Go here to offer your opinion by July 14th.

Holden July 6, 2021 (4:59 pm)

Both “options” are terrible. Why is WSDOT just now sending out emails TODAY requesting input? This is a substantial toll hike they’re proposing that’ll directly affect millions of people in the area. But instead, WSDOT thought it would be a good idea to issue a press release on June 28th announcing the proposed rate hike options and gave the public less than TWO WEEKS to provide feedback and submit public comment. This is a despicable way to run government. Also, why isn’t CARES Act covering this COVID related cost? WSDOT justifies this proposed indefinite toll hike on the revenue lost due to COVID. Well why didn’t the city and state appropriate federal dollars to cover these costs? Instead WSDOT and the Mayor’s office think Seattle taxpayers should cover the costs. Which is amazing policy making… penalizing the taxpayers for NOT using the roads enough. Absolutely insane. lol.

Reed July 6, 2021 (9:15 pm)

Drivers are already subsidized enough; it’s time they pay more, which still isn’t even remotely close to a fair share.
bill July 6, 2021 (10:00 pm)

Holden: Tunnel users pay the tolls, not all taxpayers. Don’t want to pay? Don’t use the tunnel. See how easy that is? Now go calculate how much you will pay in extra fuel and lost time taking alternative routes. Nothing is free.
Lagartija Nick July 7, 2021 (9:18 am)

If “millions of people” were using the tunnel they wouldn’t have to raise the tolls.
Read the blog more frequently July 7, 2021 (12:28 pm)

As reported by the West Seattle Blog in January and May of 2021, this announcement is not the first time you should have been reading about this toll increase. There has been much more than 2 weeks notice and opportunity for public input.

Mr E July 6, 2021 (5:52 pm)

What about an option for a state tax? Bonus: we drive out the Libertarians.

JAT July 6, 2021 (8:32 pm)

Come now, the libertarians have been driving themselves on their hidden bridges and tunnels made of Rearden Metal all along. It’s only we moochers that rely on publicly funded infrastructure.
DavidB July 7, 2021 (9:21 am)

Most libertarians, myself include are in favor of a flat state income tax, if it eliminated all the other regressive taxes like tolls, gas taxes, sales tax, etc.
Kelly Sue July 7, 2021 (4:40 pm)

You seem like a really lovely person. Who would you like to “drive out” next? I assume you’re from the party of peace, inclusion and acceptance??? It is amazing how bling people can be to themselves and not get that they are what they hate. Cheers to displaying that for us.

Kravitz July 6, 2021 (6:59 pm)

I answered their survey, but I have to question whether they’ve even considered the the closure of the West Seattle Bridge as a factor in their revenue shortfall. Seems like they’re blaming it all on the pandemic, which of course, contributed to a decline in the use of the SR 99 Tunnel. But not being able to use the West Seattle Bridge simultaneously has to play a huge factor in it as well. Getting the bridge fixed sooner rather than later would probably help solve a good portion of their shortfall. Anyone else ever ponder some sort of class action suit for “loss of use”? I have zero idea if it’s even possible… but wouldn’t it be nice if we could somehow be reimbursed for a portion of how this closure has affected our livelihoods?

bill July 6, 2021 (10:07 pm)

You want to sue for loss of use? Presumably the City, which is financed by all of us taxpayers? You’re right to wonder if it is possible for us to sue ourselves. Try this simulation: Take two dollars out of your wallet. Pretend your class won the suit. Put one dollar back in your wallet. Burn the other as a proxy for lawyers’ fees. Now get up in arms about the city not funding your favorite issues.

Azimuth July 6, 2021 (8:40 pm)

I find it funny that the toll rate signs are at the end of the tunnel after you have already gone through it!

No surprise, once again July 6, 2021 (8:44 pm)

From the WA State Transportation Commission website, under SR 99 Toll Rates and Policies: “The Transportation Commission adopted toll rates for the SR 99 Tunnel
on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 after it engaged in a five-month long
public engagement process. During this time, the Transportation
Commission considered over 1,900 written comments, and held three public
meetings in Seattle during June 2018.”(referring to rate changes in the future): “Three percent toll rate increases every three years will begin in July
2022, subject to annual review by the Transportation Commission.”…So, wouldn’t that average a 1% raise each year starting in 2022 (i.e. 15% total after 15 years), compared to the 15% proposed rate hike for this year!

No Surprise, Once Again July 6, 2021 (9:11 pm)

From the survey, “NOTE: Both options above assume an additional 3% toll rate increase will
start on July 1, 2022 and will occur every three years after that.” ….So the 2 year total will actually be a 18% raise in tolls if the 15% choice is adopted (compared to 1% each year, as adopted by the Transportation Commission originally in 2018). Also please note that the “25 cent raise option” for all rate times gives a break only to the afternoon commute (3pm-6pm), raising it only 11%, whereas the off-peak travel times will heavily subsidize the price hike (up 25% at the lowest off-peak hours, and up 20-25% for the shoulder/mid-day commute times). It’s actually a rotten choice, but the 15% option sounds to me to be the “lesser of the 2 evil choices.”

Revenue gap July 6, 2021 (11:25 pm)

They’ll never fill the big gov $ gap in this little city

tk July 7, 2021 (9:09 am)

From the WA State Transportation Commission website, under SR 99 Toll Rates and Policies: “The Transportation Commission adopted toll rates for the SR 99 Tunnel on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 after it engaged in a five-month long public engagement process. During this time, the Transportation Commission considered over 1,900 written comments, and held three public meetings
in Seattle during June 2018.”(referring to rate increases in the future): “Three percent toll rate increases every three years will begin in July 2022, subject
to annual review by the Transportation Commission.” …So, wouldn’t that average a 1% raise each year starting in 2022 (i.e. 15% total after 15 years), compared to the 15% proposed rate hike for just this year!

Auntie July 7, 2021 (11:01 am)

You’d think the toll rate signs would be before the tunnel so one could decide if it would be worth it to use the tunnel or an alternate route. As it is, you are in the tunnel and as you come out, you pay whether you like the rate or not.

Leon S Kennedy July 19, 2021 (11:36 am)

My boyfriend said the exact same things just yesterday: why don’t they show them on the screens before the tunnel?!

Craig Threlkeld July 8, 2021 (4:37 am)

Flat taxes are great. For the wealthy.

Drive me nuts! July 8, 2021 (4:23 pm)

Let no good deed go unpunished! Government wanted us to “stay safe” and “shelter in place” during the pandemic. So, we did. And tolling revenue decreased as a result.And now that traffic is picking up since we no longer have to be safe or shelter, tolls are going up . Why? Because we did as requested and not enough toll $ were raised. Why aren’t we being rewarded for our excellent civic response and having tolls reduced to thank us for being good citizens.

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