A New Bridge, Tolls: What’s the Impact on Kenmore?
Here is an artist’s concept of the new Evergreen Floating Bridge which is scheduled to open in 2014. It’s going to be a stunning structure with commuter lanes, 2 regular lanes, extra space on both sides for emergencies and (this is my favorite part) a lane for pedestrians and bicycles. Some estimates for it’s construction run in the $4 Billion range. It’s going to be one expensive project and the state legislature is asking the public how best to pay for it. It’s very likely that commuters will have to pay a toll to cross the bridge. The current 520 bridge was paid for with traditional tollbooths starting in 1963. The last toll was paid in 1979 and the tollbooths were removed. Quite a success story in it’s day. When the last toll was collected, four times as many vehicles were crossing the bridge each day, compared to when it first opened.
Fast forward to 2008. Things are far more complicated today. As the region has grown, the 520 Bridge has become a critical gateway for a huge number of commuters. Will these motorists gladly pay the proposed toll and continue to use the bridge? One negative outcome of the toll may be increased traffic through Kenmore as motorists attempt to avoid paying the toll. Anyone familiar with the 522 corridor through Bothell, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park (Bothell Way) knows that traffic is already a mess. The prospect of even more traffic congestion should be a wake-up call to us all.
July 30th, 2008 at 7:03 am
As a toll payer in Gig Harbor, I can say it’s been a wonderful thing. One difference is we don’t have a choice of another way to go…it’s the toll or nothing. More folks have begun carpooling, decreasing traffic. The toll, as it relates to the new no-traffic bridge, is a complete non-issue. It’s well worth it.