SEATTLE - How much should the state toll the new Seattle deep bore tunnel?
The WSDOT met with key stakeholders Thursday night to discuss the project and the ultimate cost to drivers.
State and city leaders held their first public meeting Thursday on tolling for the new Highway 99 tunnel under downtown Seattle.
There are concerns that drivers will avoid using the tunnel so that they won’t have to pay tolls. That could hurt tunnel funding and increase traffic on surface streets and Interstate 5.
The state believes $400 million of the tunnel cost can be raised through tolls.
But Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn stressed he believes a high toll will likely push traffic elsewhere.
"People may choose as a result of tolling to take other routes, so you have to balance the effect on the surface streets,” he said.
DOT is suggesting that drivers may have to pay between $1 and $5 for a one-way trip through the tunnel.
A final tolling decision is not expected for four years.
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