Toll collection to financially support public transportation projects is not new to Washington, nor is it unique to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. In fact, 14 bridges in Washington State have been financed with bonds, with toll collections used to reimburse either part or all of the cost. Examples of previous toll bridges include the SR 104 Hood Canal bridges, the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, the I-90 Lacey V. Murrow (Lake Washington) Bridge, the SR 303 Fox Island Bridge, the I-5 Vancouver-Portland Bridge, and others.
The First Tolls
Before 1933, Washington was one of only a few states that had not sold bonds to finance transportation projects. With no debt, Washington had financed transportation facilities strictly on a pay-as-you-go basis. However, the state found it increasingly difficult to accumulate enough money through gas tax revenues to finance transportation projects needed to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and economy.
In 1937, increasing public pressure compelled the Legislature to recognize the need for bridges spanning the Tacoma Narrows and Lake Washington. Lawmakers passed a law creating the Washington Toll Bridge Authority and gave it full powers to finance, construct, and operate toll bridges. This promise of a steady and reliable revenue stream, backed by the bonding authority of the State, resulted in financing two very necessary bridges: the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Tacoma and the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge in Seattle, both of which opened to traffic in July 1940.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge -- Galloping Gertie
When the 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened, the traveling public paid a 55-cent toll for a car and driver (and another 15 cents per passenger), averaging $0.83 per vehicle per direction. The bridge proved to be a quicker and more convenient way to cross the Narrows than the existing ferry. It also proved to be less expensive per trip. At the time, the average ferry fare was $0.89 per direction.
Galloping Gertie piqued the curiosity of thousands: revenue collected on the first day of operations totaled an astounding $11,541. Newspaper accounts tell of people making two, three, four or more trips that day just because they could!
The story of the failure of the 1940 Narrows Bridge and the success of the current Narrows Bridge is a great American saga. When Galloping Gertie splashed into Puget Sound, it created ripple effects across the nation and around the world. The event forever changed how engineers design suspension bridges. Gertie’s failure led to the safer suspension spans we use today.
A Safer Tacoma Narrows Bridge -- Sturdy Gertie
After 29 months of construction, a new and much safer Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened on Oct. 14, 1950. The replacement Tacoma Narrows Bridge (“Sturdy Gertie”) opened with a $1.10 round trip toll, which today would equate to $8.64. The current bridge is the 5th longest suspension bridge in the United States. Engineers designed the current bridge to carry 60,000 cars a day. But, by the late 1990's it was handling an average of over 90,000 vehicles daily. Hence the need for the second Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
The Parallel Bridges
The new parallel span of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge opened to traffic on July 16, 2007 with much fanfare and free-flowing traffic. The opening reintroduced tolling to the state, as it had been almost 20 years since a facility was tolled in Washington. The opening also heralded the first state's first electronic tolling system. The initial toll was set at $3.00 for manual toll payers and $1.75 for electronic Good To Go! account holders.
SR 167 HOT Lanes
On May 3, 2008, the first HOT lanes (high occupancy toll lanes) opened in Washington on SR 167, giving solo drivers a new option for driving on this often congested highway. Solo drivers may now pay an electronic toll to drive in the HOT lane, enjoying the stress-free, reliable trip the carpool lane offers.
The HOT lane runs in each direction of SR 167 for nine miles between Auburn and Renton. Toll rates are based on a variable tolling system, inceasing and decreasing with the level of congestion on the highway to ensure that traffic in the HOT lane always flows freely and carpools enjoy the same fast and reliable trip they have previously experienced in the HOV lanes.
The Future of Tolling in Washington State