Tolls on the 520 Bridge: Answers to your questions

Tolling on the State Route 520 Bridge starts December 29, but KIRO 7 has been getting a lot of questions from commuters about what the tolls will mean for them.

KIRO 7's Graham Johnson talked to the Washington State Department of Transportation on Thursday to get some answers.

"Are they going to have toll booths?"

No. Electronic readers over the highway make toll booths unnecessary. The state will either send you a bill in the mail based on your license plate, or you'll pay a lower rate if the sensors detect a Good To Go! pass in your car.

"How much of a savings is (the Good To Go! pass)?"

Drivers will save $1.50 per crossing with the pass.

"Do you know how much (tolling) is?"

At peak times, you'll pay $3.50 each way with a Good To Go! pass. Without the pass, you'll pay $5 during peak times. Toll rates drop outside the main commute hours and on weekends. Overnight, you'll pay no toll at all.

"I'm not a regular, so I'm  not sure -- would (a Good To Go! pass) pay for itself?"

This is a common question: Is it worth getting a pass if you don't commute across the bridge every day? Consider this: A Good To Go! sticker will cost you $5. As state tolling director Craig Stone says, "after about four times across the bridge you've already paid for the pass. So to me, about once a month or more, you really should be in a Good To Go! pass."

If you buy a pass at Costco, Fred Meyer, QFC or Safeway, you'll need to go online to activate your account -- this is the step a lot of people are forgetting. You'll also need to pre-pay about $30. Passes are also available at walk-in centers or mobile units, or online.

One warning about online orders: It could take five days to get your pass in the mail, and tolls start December 29, meaning you may not get yours in time.

You can put up to six vehicles on one account.

"Will I need it to go to Redmond (from Bellevue)?"

Dee Dee Ludwig asked us that question because she lives in Bellevue. You won't pay a toll between Redmond and 92^nd Avenue Northeast in Clyde Hill. You'll also escape paying between Interstate 5 and Montlake Boulevard in Seattle.

"What happens if you're taking a cab?"

"That is something the cab drivers need to assess in how they're tolling and how they pass on their rates to that individual," Stone said. In other words, it's uncertain and could vary depending on which cab company you do business with.

More information about 520 Bridge tolls can be found on our 520 Tolls section and on WSDOT's website:

http://www.kirotv.com/s/traffic/520tolls/
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/tolling/520/FAQ.htm