In the spring of 2011, all-electronic tolling will begin on the SR 520 Bridge to help pay for the construction of a new, wider, transit-friendly bridge.

At Tuesday’s Redmond City Council meeting, councilmembers listened to a presentation by Jennifer Ziegler, Director of Communications and Government Relations for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Tolling Division, on the bridge tolling plan.

Ziegler’s presentation was part of WSDOT’s outreach to update local elected officials and the public about tolling, including its purpose and how it and related improvements will work on SR 520.

The new proposed 520 Bridge, slated to begin construction in 2012, will feature six lanes, including two new HOV lanes, wider lanes and shoulders, and a bicycle/pedestrian path.

City Council president Richard Cole said tolling the current bridge and other major highways “is a way of the future” and necessary to raise funds for the new bridge, set to open to drivers in 2014.

“Tolling of 520 is required in order to raise the money to replace the old bridge. … With increasing fuel economy in vehicles, the current gas tax does not raise sufficient revenue to pay for new transportation projects,” he said. “The tolls will be expensive and be very hard on many people. They will also be a financial hardship on folks who use their vehicles in their work so they can’t use public transportation. In the long run, tolls are fair because the people who will use the bridge will pay much of the cost.”

Good To Go! electronic tolling uses technology to keep traffic moving with no toll booths, no stopping and no slowing down.

Customers can set up pre-paid accounts linked to a Good To Go! Pass installed in the vehicle or linked to the license plate number. By linking the account to a credit card or bank account, it will be automatically replenished to prevent it from running low.

As vehicles drive under electronic sensors on the east high rise of the bridge, the toll will automatically be deducted from the pre-paid account.

If the driver does not have a pre-paid account, a photo is taken of the vehicle’s license plate and a bill is sent to the vehicle’s registered owner in the mail.

“The majority of the commuters today drive from Seattle to the Eastside to work,” said City Council president Richard Cole. “Initially, I expect more cars to use other routes, such as I-90. Today public transportation sits in the same back up as everyone else. With the new bridge and the addition of an HOV lane, public transportation will offer a much quicker commute. We will also be adding more bus service on the 520 corridor. These improvements will help the commuters from Seattle. Tolls will also encourage people to evaluate their discretionary trips and consolidate trips or seek other alternatives such as entertainment and shopping in the eastside. In the long run, the new 520 corridor should have a positive impact on the Eastside economy.”

WSDOT launched this extensive outreach campaign to educate drivers about electronic tolling on the 520 Bridge. In addition to briefings to local elected officials, WSDOT is also meeting with community and business groups throughout the region to answer questions about the bridge electronic tolling program.

Groups wanting to see a presentation should contact WSDOT at GoodToGoTolling@wsdot.wa.gov. Individuals can also join the interest list at www.goodtogo520.org, and be among the first to sign up for a Good to Go! Pass in January 2011. Subscribers receive regular updates about rates, account options, special offers and customer service resources.

More information is available at www.goodtogo520.org.