Tolling

Tolling will help finance the CRC project and manage congestion

Tolling will be a necessary tool to help finance the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project. Additional funding will come from the federal government and the states of Washington and Oregon. Tolling has a dual purpose as it helps manage congestion through the use of variable pricing which offers a lower toll for drivers who travel during non-peak, less busy hours of the day.

No toll rate or policy has been set. In 2009, a Tolling Study Committee was convened to seek comments from the public and evaluate traffic and funding effects of tolling. The committee concluded its work and submitted its report to the Oregon and Washington state legislatures in January 2010. Information gained from the tolling study is used to help update the project's finance plan. Actual toll rates and policies will be decided by the states.

Example Electronic Toll Collection System

Electronic tolling will eliminate need for toll booths

The CRC project plans to use all electronic toll collection. There will be no need for toll booths or for drivers to slow down. Electronic toll collection is a cashless toll collection system using the latest electronic technology. This technology is secure, reliable and simple to use.

Electronic tolls are collected with a transponder, about the size of a credit card, affixed to a car’s windshield. An overhead sensor links the transponder to the driver’s account and deducts the correct toll from a prepaid account. Drivers can easily manage their account by authorizing payments from a credit card or bank account when the account balance gets low.

Vehicles without a transponder will be photographed. The license plate will be linked to the vehicle owner, who may choose to prepay online or by phone or be invoiced for the toll, which will include a processing fee. Cash payment methods also will be available.

Variable tolling helps relieve congestion

The CRC project is proposing variable tolling where the toll rate would vary by time of day according to a set schedule. The lowest toll rate would occur during non-peak hours. Variable tolling helps relieve congestion, increase travel speeds and improve trip reliability by encouraging some drivers to change the time of day they travel. Other drivers might decide to take transit or change their trip destination. The CRC Tolling Study found most drivers will choose not to change their travel plans.

Cost of toll to be determined by States

Several factors will be taken into account when determining the exact cost of a toll, including the cost of the approved project, the amount of revenue provided by other sources, the type of activities funded by the toll and public comment. Actual toll amounts will be determined by the Oregon and Washington transportation commissions and legislatures.

Next Steps

The CRC finance plan was updated for the Final EIS with more detailed project designs and cost estimates. CRC is working with the transportation commissions and legislatures from both states to review the finance plan and determine state revenues. Both states will also work to establish the toll rate setting process, further evaluate pre-completion tolling and test base toll rate assumptions. An investment grade financial analysis will occur before bonds are issued.

How CRC Toll Revenues Would Be Used

Toll Revenue and Fees

Potential Toll Revenue	91%
'Pay-by-Plate' Fee Revenue	9%
Total Potential Revenue	100%

Uses of Revenue

Credit Card Fees	3%
Toll Collection Operations and Maintenance	23%
Facility Operations and Maintenance	1%
Uncollectable Tolls	5%
Net Revenue Available for Debt Service	69%

Debt Service (Principle & Interest Payments) 54%
Debt Service Coverage* 15%

Total Uses of Revenue

100%

Note: Total may not add to 100 percent due to rounding

* Debt service coverage is required by investors to ensure there is sufficient cash flow to repay the debt. If revenue targets are met, the debt service coverage may be subsequently available for other uses. However, coverage funds cannot be borrowed against to increase project funding during the construction period. Debt service coverage would first be applied to fund a renovation and rehabilitation account for future work needed beyond expected operations and maintenance costs. Any remaining coverage funds could be used for other transportation uses, subject to statutory constraints.

Other useful tolling information

Oregon Department of Transportation - Tolling background studies
Washington State Department of Transportation - Tolling web page
Washington State Department of Transportation - SR 520 Bridge tolling
Washington State Department of Transportation - SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolling