Home » Current Topics » Bridge Tolls
Bridge Tolls
The Oregon and Washington departments of transportation anticipate that
tolling will be part of any funding plan for the Columbia River Crossing
project. Additional funding will likely come from federal, state and regional
sources. The benefits of tolling include funding for construction and
maintenance not provided through other sources and reducing congestion as
drivers choose other travel options to avoid
the toll.
Details and policies
for the tolling system will be developed by the transportation commissions and
legislatures of both states. However, it is assumed that an electronic tolling
system will be used and that toll amounts will vary based on the time of travel.
Electronic tolling will promote a continuous flow of traffic and eliminate the
need for toll booths.
Electronic Tolling
Electronic tolling collection (ETC) is a cashless toll collection system
using the latest electronic technology. This technology is simple to use, secure
and reliable. ETC promotes free-flowing traffic by eliminating the need for toll
booths and allowing all vehicles to pay a toll without stopping.
A component
of ETC systems in use today allows drivers to purchase an inexpensive, credit
card sized transponder that is placed on the inside windshield of their car.
When driving through the toll collection point, radio equipment above the road
scans the transponder and deducts the toll from the user’s account. User
accounts could be linked to a credit or debit card, or they could be prepaid.
Another ETC component is a video camera that can quickly scan and photograph
license plates. This feature can provide a secondary payment option for
infrequent drivers who do not have a transponder. A bill for the cost of the
toll and a processing fee can be sent to the registered vehicle owner. Video
cameras are also an effective way to record toll violation.
Cost of a Toll
Several factors will be taken into account when determining the exact cost of
a toll, including cost of the approved project, amount of revenue provided by
other sources, the type of activities funded by the toll and public opinion.
Project staff analyzed the four “build”
alternatives with sample toll amounts for study purposes only. These sample amounts
allow potential revenue and traffic reduction to be estimated. The one-way toll
amounts were in 2006 dollars ($1.00 - $2.50) and in 2017 dollars ($1.31 -
$3.28), the year a new bridge is expected to open. Non-peak hour drivers would
pay a lower toll.
The graph below illustrates the variable toll cost studied
for vehicles with transponders during peak and off peak hours. Vehicles without
an account would pay a processing fee in addition to the toll.
Tolls for Passenger Cars (with transponders)
