Tolls on existing I-5 bridge will help pay for the new span linking Oregon and Washington

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

When construction starts on a new Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River in early 2026, drivers will begin paying tolls on the existing span between Washington and Oregon.

That’s the plan.

Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama wanted to know Tuesday whether tolling would proceed if construction is delayed. There’s no answer yet, he learned at a legislative committee hearing.

“A lot of people are upset now. They are not used to tolling. It’s going to be a new experience,” he said following the meeting of the Joint Transportation Committee, a bipartisan and bicameral panel. “Imagine what they will feel like if they are paying tolls a lot longer without getting anything for them.”

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/14/tolls-on-existing-i-5-bridge-will-help-pay-for-the-new-span-linking-oregon-and-washington/

Many who chose to live in southwest Washington do so because they want to avoid paying taxes. Washington doesn't have an income tax but they do their shopping in Oregon which doesn't have a sales tax.

[SarahD]

1. Tolls have a low profit margin.

A lot of money goes into the collection system, so the amount left over for building the new bridge is not that much. Of course, they can keep raising the toll.

[k55f5r]

2. I've still got tokens from the original toll on the I-5 bridge

I wonder if that nickel token would work when they start the new one. On a side note it will help improve traffic on I-5 through Portland more people will go over the i-205 bridge and bypass downtown.

[unc70]

4. Probably tolling the I-205 route, too

But that is getting lots of pushback from folks in Portland. Don't really know what really going on here. Personally not a fan of tolls.

[k55f5r]

5. I pay taxes on my gasoline on my food on my wages

To pay for s*** like this. Why am I paying road taxes and still have to pay to drive on the road?

[Permanut]

8. Those nickel tokens must be pretty old!

[k55f5r]

9. The early 1900s.

The toll was $.20 - .40 from 1958 to 1966, but I have tokens from the 1st toll in the '20s.

[Permanut]

11. Great piece of Oregon Washington history..

Apparently the earliest toll WAS a nickel.

[k55f5r]

3. Double tap deleted.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

6. They had a vote in Clark County some 30 years or so ago whether to be part of Portland's Max train

It was pretty overwhelmingly defeated.

As I pointed out earlier, many people who live in southwest Washington do so to avoid paying taxes.

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. That's where much of the Portland police live

As Im sure you well know, SW Washington is Proud Boy World Headquarters, with the privaowned and operated Jefferson Davis Memorial Park within view of I-5.

[k55f5r]

10. I believe at that time

There was no plan to toll the bridge and it was going to be paid by taxes. The one good thing about a toll bridge is it only the people that use it pay.