520 Tolling Committee Adds Open House on Mercer Island - August 13

The 520 Tolling Implementation Committee added a visit to Mercer Island to the series of open houses about how tolls can help pay for a new 520 bridge between Seattle and Bellevue. The Mercer Island open house on August 13, 2008 gives the public a sixth opportunity to provide input and learn about four tolling options being evaluated by the committee. The open houses will include comparisons of forecasts of bridge funding raised by different toll rates and changes in traffic patterns. The open house will be held from 5 pm to 7:30 pm with a formal presentation at 6 pm.

The state Legislature established the 520 Tolling Implementation Committee this year and named as its members: Bob Drewel, Executive Director, Puget Sound Regional Council; Paula Hammond, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation; and Dick Ford, Commissioner, Washington State Transportation Commission.

The committee is conferring with local jurisdictions around Lake Washington, evaluating different alternatives, and seeking public input about how tolls can help pay for a new 520 bridge. Members of the public who cannot attend the open houses can learn more about the committee’s work and provide input at www.build520.org. The committee’s final report is due to the governor and the Legislature in January 2009.