The place to start charging tolls is with the I-5 Corridor and Interstate Bridge, acknowledged by all to be the most congested and most critical transportation segment in the region’s freeway network. What’s more, tolling has been the traditional means for financing bi-state, cross Columbia projects.
By establishing a toll now…with funds going into an account earmarked for corridor road, rail and transit improvements…present congestion can be managed and redirected. No doubt some trips will shift to I-205, but many commuters will either contribute, as they should, to the capital improvements needed or will shift to other travel modes… transit, rideshare or telework, thereby buying time to get the right “fixes” designed and built in the corridor.
A $5 one-way toll would do wonders for congestion on I-5 across the Columbia.