Rep. Reichert Questions I-90 Toll Proposal

This article was written by Patch Editor Kendall Watson.

Congressman Dave Reichert (WA-8) recently questioned the authority of the federal government to toll Interstate 90 in a letter he'd sent to Anthony Foxx, the incoming Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation.

In the July 3 letter, Reichert raised concerns about the potential impacts of tolling on commerce and the legality of tolling I-90. WSDOT is currently seeking to use a pilot program, managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to allow tolling, if authorized by the State Legislature. 

Called the Value Pricing Pilot Program, (VPPP), the FHWA could allow the state to impose a toll on I-90 if it could be demonstrated that a plan was needed to "mitigate congestion."

"There is a concern that WSDOT's primary purpose for tolling I-90 is to pay for SR-520, a separate state highway bridge," Reichert stated in the letter. "As you review WSDOT's application, I request that you ensure the project meets VPPP requirements for congestion mitigation and that tolling I-90 would not be a misuse of VPPP authority."

The Auburn congressman also warned that allowing the application to move forward would set an important precedent for other states "looking to toll Interstate highways to fund their transportation needs."

Click here to view the letter to US DOT.