SEATTLE - State officials say they've finally figured out a way to pay for a multi-billion dollar 520 floating bridge.  The plan includes several tax increases and a higher toll for drivers. 

Are you willing to shell out as much as six dollars to travel roundtrip across the 520 floating bridge?  This fall elected officials may be asking voters to approve that amount to help pay for the $4.4 billion project. 

Design details have yet to be flushed out, but ideas have been thrown around. The state claims the current bridge, a four-lane span built in 1963, would fall apart in the next major earthquake or windstorm. There is interest in exploring a thinner bridge, with narrower shoulders and lanes, accompanied by a reduced speed limit. 

Officials would finance the new structure several ways, including a car tab and gas tax, state pool funds, federal grants and a toll ranging from $3 to $6 roundtrip. 

State Treasurer Mike Murphy has said in the past charging a high toll is not a viable way to help pay for this project. 

"Because the toll would likely be so high, people would take the I-90," said Murphy.  "So now you don't have one problem, you've created two: a financing problem on 520 and a congestion problem on 90." 

There is talk of having a toll on I-90 as well as on 520, which may lessen the amount paid to cross the bridges. Governor Christine Gregoire also says the money used to pay for the Alaskan Way Viaduct may also be used to finance the new 520 bridge. 

According to the Seattle Times, the $4.4 billion figure is a midrange estimate for the "Pacific Street Interchange" bridge option, a proposal that includes an exit bridge over Union Bay, landing along Northeast Pacific Street at Husky Stadium. It also avoids an interchange in the Montlake neighborhood.