As the State of Washington considers tolling on the I-90 Bridge across Lake Washington, the mayors of Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park and Woodinville, on behalf of their cities, sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee, the State and House Transportation Committee Chairs and the Secretary of Transportation requesting mitigation resources to address impacts from regional tolling.

Since tolling has been implemented on the SR 520 Bridge, the north end communities of Lake Washington have experienced increased traffic volumes and congestion on SR 522 and other state and local highways and roads. Yet, the cities have received little to no mitigation funding as a result of the SR 520 tolling impacts.

It is important to highlight that there are four east-west corridors connecting the communities surrounding Lake Washington including SR 522, SR 520, I-90 and I-405.

“The impacts on all corridors must be considered when evaluating and mitigating regional tolling,” said Kenmore Mayor David Baker. “Tolling of the I-90 Bridge will very likely result in additional traffic on SR 522 and other roads and transportation systems here at the north end of the lake.”

The cities urge the State to review the additional impacts specific to our north end cities that would result from the cumulative consequences of regional tolling: traffic volumes and congestion, air pollution, noise pollution, transit, safety and parking.

Furthermore, the cities anticipate mitigation resources from the State of Washington to address impacts from the current regional tolling as well as future regional tolling. Mitigation measures should include pedestrian and vehicle safety improvements, noise improvements, improved transit and transit access, as well as transportation capacity improvements, repairs, replacements, and retrofitting of affected transportation structures and systems.