Washington sets tolls for Seattle’s new Highway 99 tunnel

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) – Washington state transportation commissioners have approved toll amounts for the new state Highway 99 tunnel in Seattle.

KOMO-TV reports the tolls approved Tuesday by the state Transportation Commission will range from $1 during slow traffic hours to $2.25 during rush-hour traffic on weekday afternoons.

The tolls will increase by 3 percent every three years. The first increase is set for 2022.

Toll revenue will fund ongoing maintenance, operations and safety systems as well as pay down the $200 million in construction costs.

Until tolling equipment is installed, trips will be free on the nearly 2-mile tunnel from Sodo to South Lake Union when it opens in January.

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Information from: KOMO-TV, http://www.komotv.com/