WA commission votes to delay I-5 Bridge tolls, escalate rate increases

Last July, an Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Subcommittee voted to recommend toll rate scenarios to WSTC as well as the Oregon Transportation Commissions

TJ Martinell
The Center Square Washington

The Washington State Transportation Commission has voted in support of a one-year delay to tolling on the Interstate 5 Bridge spanning the Columbia River from Vancouver to Portland, Ore., although once implemented the rates would increase faster.

Last July, an Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Subcommittee voted to recommend toll rate scenarios to WSTC as well as the Oregon Transportation Commissions. A month later, program officials anticipated a year delay for the new bridge’s timeline due to planning delays. Project officials are still working on the draft Environmental Impact Statement. Though initially planned to start in spring 2026, the subcommittee in May advocated that implementation be delayed until spring 2027. According to Program Administrator Greg Johnson, the subcommittee is seeking a Record of Decision in 2026, in which the federal government approves the project for construction.

Under the option approved by WSTC, the toll rates will escalate by 3.25% in the second and third year of tolling, rather than 2.15% as initially planned. After the third year, the toll rate increases will go back to 2.15%.

The tolling rate scenarios under consideration by the joint commissions depend on various factors, such as whether or not the new bridge has been completed, what day of the week and what time of day. Under all four scenarios, there would be a low-income program to cover 50% of the toll, though under some scenarios that program would start “once practical” as opposed to when the new bridge opens. The highest potential toll rate under the four scenarios would be $4.70, which would take effect after the new bridge is completed.

During this year’s session, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1958 sponsored by House Transportation Chair Jake Fey, D-Seattle, which authorizes up to $2.5 billion in bonding to be paid for by tolling revenue.

The state Departments of Transportation for Washington and Oregon recently sought traveler feedback on what modes they use when crossing the existing I-5 Bridge. The project previously received 600 comments related to tolling and around 1,300 comments concerning the bridge’s design.

The updated tolling start date has not yet been approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission. 

This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.