The state is pushing to start collecting tolls on the SR 520 floating bridge as early as November of next year, but the start date could be delayed until June 2011.
The key, state officials say, is how potential contractors respond to an incentive program that encourages them to design a system to collect tolls. The sooner contractors can implement a plan to collect tolls before June 2011, the more money they can get from the state.
Contract proposals are due on Sept. 29, Washington State Department of Transportation officials say.
A key part of the bidding and contract selection process is an incentive program that encourages vendors to open the center as soon as possible.
The sooner they propose to open (between November 2010 and June 2011), the more incentives they can earn.
The contractors also will face fines (called liquidated damages) if they fail to meet the contracted completion date.
Incentives for early delivery call for $100,000 per week with a cap of $3 million. The liquidated damages will cost the chosen vender $350,000 for every week they overshoot the contracted completion date.
Proposed tolls on the SR 520 bridge will vary based on the time of day. The more congested the bridge, the higher the toll.
One-way tolls are seen ranging from around $2 to $3.25.
Tolls also are being considered on I-90, particularly if motorists switch from SR 520 to avoid paying a toll there.
The money collected will go toward the estimated $4 billion cost to replace the current SR 520 floating bridge.
I-405 lanes
It’s been more than a year since the Washington State Department of Transportation tore down the Wilburton tunnel to make room for more lanes on southbound I-405.
Where four lanes once squeezed through the tunnel, six lanes will now help relieve a long-standing afternoon chokepoint.
This week, crews opened a southbound HOV lane that will allow carpoolers and buses to directly connect from SE Eighth Street to I-90.
This lane, coupled with a general purpose lane that opened in April, will bring relief to Eastside commuters.
The new lane is part of the $124 million I-405 South Bellevue Widening Project, that will eventually add lanes along four miles of I-405.
