As used in this chapter:

(1) "1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge" means the bridge crossing the Tacoma Narrows that was opened to vehicle travel in 1950.

(2) "Electronic toll collection system" means a system that collects tolls by crediting or debiting funds from a customer's unique prepaid tolling account.

(3) "Photo toll" means a toll charge associated with a particular vehicle that is identified by its license plate. A photo toll may be paid through one of the following methods:

(a) A customer-initiated account that is prepaid or postpaid.

(b) In response to a toll bill that is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle incurring the photo toll charge. The toll bill may designate a toll payment due date for the photo toll assessed.

(4) "Photo toll system" means a camera-based imaging system that uses digital video or still image formats to record license plate images of vehicles using toll lanes for the purpose of collecting a photo toll.

(5) "Toll bridge" means a bridge constructed or acquired under this chapter, upon which tolls are charged, together with all appurtenances, additions, alterations, improvements, and replacements thereof, and the approaches thereto, and all lands and interests used therefor, and buildings and improvements thereon.

(6) "Toll payment due date" means the date when a toll must be paid to avoid a toll violation civil penalty. The toll payment due date is eighty days from the date the vehicle uses the toll facility and incurs the toll charge.

(7) "Toll road" means any express highway, superhighway, or motorway at such locations and between such termini as may be established by law, and constructed or to be constructed as a limited access highway under the provisions of this chapter by the department, and shall include, but not be limited to, all bridges, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, entrance plazas, approaches, toll houses, service areas, service facilities, communications facilities, and administration, storage, and other buildings that the department may deem necessary for the operation of the project, together with all property, rights, easements, and interests that may be acquired by the department for the construction or the operation of the project, all of which shall be conducted in the same manner and under the same procedure as provided for the establishing, constructing, operating, and maintaining of toll bridges by the department, insofar as those procedures are reasonably consistent and applicable.

Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

Contingent effective date—2010 c 249: See note following RCW 47.56.795.

Finding—Intent—2002 c 114: See RCW 47.46.011.

Captions not law—2002 c 114: See note following RCW 47.46.011.

(1) Except as permitted under chapter 47.29 or 47.46 RCW:

(a) Unless otherwise delegated, and subject to RCW 47.56.820, the department of transportation shall have full charge of the planning, analysis, and construction of all toll bridges and other toll facilities including the Washington state ferries, and the operation and maintenance thereof.

(b) The transportation commission shall determine and establish the tolls and charges thereon.

(c) Unless otherwise delegated, and subject to RCW 47.56.820, the department shall have full charge of planning, analysis, and design of all toll facilities. The department may conduct the planning, analysis, and design of toll facilities as necessary to support the legislature's consideration of toll authorization.

(d) The department shall utilize and administer toll collection systems that are simple, unified, and interoperable. To the extent practicable, the department shall avoid the use of toll booths. The department shall set the statewide standards and protocols for all toll facilities within the state, including those authorized by local authorities.

(e) Except as provided in this section, the department shall proceed with the construction of such toll bridges and other facilities and the approaches thereto by contract in the manner of state highway construction immediately upon there being made available funds for such work and shall prosecute such work to completion as rapidly as practicable. The department is authorized to negotiate contracts for any amount without bid under (e)(i) and (ii) of this subsection:

(i) Emergency contracts, in order to make repairs to ferries or ferry terminal facilities or removal of such facilities whenever continued use of ferries or ferry terminal facilities constitutes a real or immediate danger to the traveling public or precludes prudent use of such ferries or facilities; and

(ii) Single source contracts for vessel dry dockings, when there is clearly and legitimately only one available bidder to conduct dry dock-related work for a specific class or classes of vessels. The contracts may be entered into for a single vessel dry docking or for multiple vessel dry dockings for a period not to exceed two years.

(f) Any new vessel planning, construction, purchase, analysis, or design work must be consistent with RCW 47.60.810, except as otherwise provided in RCW 47.60.826.

(2) The department shall proceed with the procurement of materials, supplies, services, and equipment needed for the support, maintenance, and use of a ferry, ferry terminal, or other facility operated by Washington state ferries, in accordance with chapter 43.19 RCW except as follows:

(a) When the secretary of the department of transportation determines in writing that the use of invitation for bid is either not practicable or not advantageous to the state and it may be necessary to make competitive evaluations, including technical or performance evaluations among acceptable proposals to complete the contract award, a contract may be entered into by use of a competitive sealed proposals method, and a formal request for proposals solicitation. Such formal request for proposals solicitation shall include a functional description of the needs and requirements of the state and the significant factors.

(b) When purchases are made through a formal request for proposals solicitation the contract shall be awarded to the responsible proposer whose competitive sealed proposal is determined in writing to be the most advantageous to the state taking into consideration price and other evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals. No significant factors may be used in evaluating a proposal that are not specified in the request for proposals. Factors that may be considered in evaluating proposals include but are not limited to: Price; maintainability; reliability; commonality; performance levels; life-cycle cost if applicable under this section; cost of transportation or delivery; delivery schedule offered; installation cost; cost of spare parts; availability of parts and service offered; and the following:

(i) The ability, capacity, and skill of the proposer to perform the contract or provide the service required;

(ii) The character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the proposer;

(iii) Whether the proposer can perform the contract within the time specified;

(iv) The quality of performance of previous contracts or services;

(v) The previous and existing compliance by the proposer with laws relating to the contract or services;

(vi) Objective, measurable criteria defined in the request for proposal. These criteria may include but are not limited to items such as discounts, delivery costs, maintenance services costs, installation costs, and transportation costs; and

(vii) Such other information as may be secured having a bearing on the decision to award the contract.

(c) When purchases are made through a request for proposal process, proposals received shall be evaluated based on the evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposal. When issuing a request for proposal for the procurement of propulsion equipment or systems that include an engine, the request for proposal must specify the use of a life-cycle cost analysis that includes an evaluation of fuel efficiency. When a life-cycle cost analysis is used, the life-cycle cost of a proposal shall be given at least the same relative importance as the initial price element specified in the request of proposal documents. The department may reject any and all proposals received. If the proposals are not rejected, the award shall be made to the proposer whose proposal is most advantageous to the department, considering price and the other evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposal.

Effective date—2023 c 429: See note following RCW 47.60.826.

Effective date—2015 3rd sp.s. c 14: See note following RCW 47.60.005.

Finding—Intent—2002 c 114: See RCW 47.46.011.

Captions not law—2002 c 114: See note following RCW 47.46.011.

Effective date—1995 1st sp.s. c 4: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [June 14, 1995]." [ 1995 1st sp.s. c 4 § 4.]

No tolls may be imposed on new or existing highways or bridges without specific legislative authorization, or upon a majority vote of the people within the boundaries of the unit of government empowered to impose tolls. This section applies to chapter 47.56 RCW and to any tolls authorized under chapter 47.29 RCW, the transportation innovative partnership act of 2005.

All powers vested in the toll bridge authority as of September 21, 1977, relating to the acquiring, operating, extending, designing, constructing, repairing, and maintenance of the Washington state ferries or any part thereof and the collecting of tolls and charges for use of its facilities, shall be performed by the department. The commission shall determine all fares, tolls, and other charges for its facilities and shall directly perform all duties and exercise all powers relating to financing, refinancing, and fiscal management of the system's bonded indebtedness in the manner provided by law.

The department is empowered, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, to provide for the establishment and construction of toll bridges upon any public highways of this state together with approaches thereto wherever it is considered necessary or advantageous and practicable for crossing any stream, body of water, gulch, navigable water, swamp, or other topographical formation whether that formation is within this state or constitutes a boundary between this state and an adjoining state or country. For the purpose of obtaining information for the consideration of the department upon the construction of any toll bridge or any other matters pertaining thereto, any cognizant officer or employee of the state shall, upon the request of the department, make reasonable examination, investigation, survey, or reconnaissance for the determination of material facts pertaining thereto and report this to the department. The cost of any such examination, investigation, survey, or reconnaissance shall be borne by the department or office conducting these activities from the funds provided for that department or office for its usual functions.

The department is authorized to enter into agreements with any county of this state and/or with an adjoining state or county thereof for the purpose of implementing an investigation of the feasibility of any toll bridge project for the bridging of a river forming a portion of the boundary of this state, and the adjoining state. The department may use funds available to it to carry out the purposes of this section. These agreements may provide that if any such project is determined to be feasible and is adopted, any advancement of funds by any state or county may be reimbursed out of any proceeds derived from the sale of bonds or out of tolls and revenues to be derived from the project.

(1) The department, whenever it is considered necessary or advantageous and practicable, is empowered to provide for the acquisition by purchase of, and to acquire by purchase (a) any bridge or bridges or ferries which connect with or may be connected with the public highways of this state (b) together with approaches thereto.

(2) In connection with the acquisition by purchase of any bridge or bridges or ferries under subsection (1) of this section, the department, the state treasurer, any city, county, or other political subdivision of this state, and all of their officers:

(a) Are empowered and required to do all acts and things provided for in this chapter to establish and construct toll bridges and operate, finance, and maintain such bridges insofar as the powers and requirements are applicable to the purchase of any bridge or bridges or ferries and their operation, financing, and maintenance; and

(b) In purchasing, operating, financing, and maintaining any bridge or bridges or ferries acquired or to be acquired by purchase under this section, shall act in the same manner and under the same procedures as are provided in this chapter to establish, construct, operate, finance, and maintain toll bridges insofar as such manner and procedure are applicable to the purchase of any bridge or bridges or ferries and their operation, financing, and maintenance.

(3) Without limiting the generality of the provisions contained in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the department is empowered: (a) To cause surveys to be made for the purpose of investigating the propriety of acquiring by purchase any such bridge or bridges or ferries and the right-of-way necessary or proper for that bridge or bridges or ferries, and other facilities necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter; (b) to issue, sell, and redeem bonds, and to deposit and pay out the proceeds of the bonds for the financing thereof; (c) to collect, deposit, and expend tolls therefrom; (d) to secure and remit financial and other assistance in the purchase thereof; and (e) to carry insurance thereon.

(4) The provisions of RCW 47.56.220 apply when any bridge or bridges or ferries are acquired by purchase pursuant to this section.

The department, the officials thereof, and all other state officials are empowered to act and make agreements consistent with law as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the duties and powers conferred upon them respectively by law regarding the construction, maintenance, operation, and insurance of toll bridges or the safeguarding of the funds and revenues required for such construction and the payment of the indebtedness incurred therefor. The department shall keep full, complete, and separate accounts of each toll bridge, and annually shall prepare balance sheet and income and profit and loss statements showing the financial condition of each such toll bridge, which statement shall be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of holders of bonds issued by the department.

The department of transportation may, in accordance with this chapter, provide for the construction and operation of toll tunnels, toll roads, and other facilities necessary for their construction and connection with public highways of the state. It may cause surveys to be made to determine the propriety of their construction and operation, and may acquire rights-of-way and other facilities necessary to carry out the provisions hereof; and may issue, sell, and redeem bonds, and deposit and expend them; secure and remit financial and other assistance in the construction thereof; carry insurance thereon; and handle any other matters pertaining thereto, all of which shall be conducted in the same manner and under the same procedure as provided for the constructing, operating, and maintaining of toll bridges by the department, insofar as reasonably consistent and applicable.

The department shall approve for construction only such toll roads as the legislature specifically authorizes or such toll facilities as are specifically sponsored by a regional transportation investment district, city, town, or county.

(1) Upon approval of a majority of the voters within its boundaries voting on the ballot proposition, a regional transportation investment district may authorize vehicle tolls on a local or regional arterial or a state or federal highway within the boundaries of the district. The department shall administer the collection of vehicle tolls authorized on designated facilities unless otherwise specified in law or by contract, and the commission or its successor statewide tolling authority shall set and impose the tolls in amounts sufficient to implement the regional transportation investment plan under RCW 36.120.020.

(2) Consistent with RCW 47.56.820, vehicle tolls must first be authorized by the legislature if the tolls are imposed on a state route.

(3) Consistent with RCW 47.56.850, vehicle tolls, including any change in an existing toll rate, must first be reviewed and approved by the tolling authority designated in RCW 47.56.850 if the tolls, or change in toll rate, would have a significant impact, as determined by the tolling authority, on the operation of any state facility.

Findings—2006 c 311: See note following RCW 36.120.020.

The department shall not grant concessions for the operation or establishment of any privately owned business upon toll road rights-of-way.

(1) Subject to the provisions under chapter 36.73 RCW, a transportation benefit district may authorize vehicle tolls on state routes or federal highways, city streets, or county roads, within the boundaries of the district, unless otherwise prohibited by law. The department of transportation shall administer the collection of vehicle tolls authorized on state routes or federal highways, unless otherwise specified in law or by contract, and the state transportation commission, or its successor, may approve, set, and impose the tolls in amounts sufficient to implement the district's transportation improvement finance plan. The district shall administer the collection of vehicle tolls authorized on city streets or county roads, and shall set and impose the tolls, only with approval of the transportation commission, in amounts sufficient to implement the district's transportation improvement plan. Tolls may vary for type of vehicle, for time of day, for traffic conditions, and/or other factors designed to improve performance of the facility or the transportation network.

(2) Consistent with RCW 47.56.820, vehicle tolls must first be authorized by the legislature if the tolls are imposed on a state route.

(3) Consistent with RCW 47.56.850, vehicle tolls, including any change in an existing toll rate, must first be reviewed and approved by the tolling authority designated in RCW 47.56.850 if the tolls, or change in toll rate, would have a significant impact, as determined by the tolling authority, on the operation of any state facility.

Effective date—2005 c 336: See note following RCW 36.73.015.

The department of transportation is empowered to secure right-of-way for toll bridges and for approaches thereto by gift or purchase, or by condemnation in the manner provided by law for the taking of private property for public highway purposes.

The right-of-way is hereby given, dedicated, and set apart upon which to locate, construct, and maintain bridges or approaches thereto or other highway crossings, and transportation facilities thereof or thereto, through, over, or across any state highways, and through, over, or across the streets, alleys, lanes, and roads within any city, county, or other political subdivision of the state. If any property belonging to any city, county, or other political subdivision of the state is required to be taken for the construction of any bridge or approach thereto, or if any such property is injured or damaged by such construction, compensation therefor as may be proper or necessary and as agreed upon may be paid by the department to the particular county, city, or other political subdivision of the state owning the property, or condemnation proceedings may be brought for the determination of the compensation.

Before the department proceeds with any action to secure a right-of-way or with construction of any toll bridge under the provisions of this chapter, the commission shall first pass a resolution that public interest and necessity require the acquisition of right-of-way for and the construction of the toll bridge. The resolution is conclusive evidence (1) of the public necessity of such construction; (2) that the property is necessary therefor; and (3) that the proposed construction is planned or located in a manner which will be most compatible with the greatest public good and the least private injury. When it becomes necessary for the department to condemn any real estate to be used in connection with any such bridge, the attorney general of the state shall represent the department. In eminent domain proceedings to acquire property for any of the purposes of this chapter, any toll bridge, real property, personal property, franchises, rights, easements, or other property or privileges appurtenant thereto appropriated or dedicated to a public use or purpose by any person, firm, private, public, or municipal corporation, county, city, town, district, or any political subdivision of the state, may be condemned and taken, and the acquisition and use as provided in this chapter for the same public use or purpose to which the property has been so appropriated or dedicated, or for any other public use or purpose, is a superior and permanent right and necessity, and a more necessary use and purpose than the public use or purpose to which the property has already been appropriated or dedicated. It is not necessary in any eminent domain proceedings under this chapter to plead or prove any acts or proceedings preliminary or prior to the adoption of the resolution hereinbefore referred to describing the property sought to be taken and directing such proceedings.

In the event that any toll bridge should be constructed, all cost thereof including right-of-way, survey, and engineering shall be paid out of any funds available for payment of the cost of such toll bridge under this chapter.

The department is hereby empowered to issue bonds for the construction of any toll bridge or toll bridges authorized under the provisions of this chapter. Any and all bonds issued for the construction of any toll bridge or toll bridges under the authority of the department shall be issued in the name of the department, shall constitute obligations only of the department, shall be identified as . . . . . . toll bridge bonds, and shall contain a recital on the face thereof that the payment or redemption of the bonds and the payment of the interest thereon is secured by a direct and exclusive charge and lien upon the tolls and other revenues of any nature whatever received from the operation of the particular toll bridge or bridges for the construction of which the bonds are issued and that neither the payment of the principal or any part thereof nor of the interest thereon or any part thereof constitutes a debt, liability, or obligation of the state of Washington. The department is empowered to receive and accept funds from the state of Washington or the federal government upon a cooperative or other basis for the construction of any toll bridge authorized under this chapter and is empowered to enter into such agreements with the state of Washington or the federal government as may be required for the securing of such funds.

The revenue bonds may be issued and sold by the department of transportation from time to time and in such amounts as it deems necessary to provide sufficient funds for the construction of the bridge, and to pay interest on outstanding bonds issued for its construction during the period of actual construction and for six months after completion thereof.

The department of transportation shall determine the form, conditions, and denominations of the bonds, and the maturity dates which the bonds to be sold shall bear and the interest rate thereon. All bonds of the same issue need not bear the same interest rate. Principal and interest of the bonds may be payable at such place as determined by the department. They may be in any form including bearer bonds or registered bonds as provided in RCW 39.46.030, with interest payable at such times as determined by the department, and shall mature at such times and in such amounts as the department prescribes. The department may provide for the retirement of the bonds at any time prior to maturity, and in such manner and upon payment of such premiums as it may determine in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds. All such bonds shall be signed by the state auditor and countersigned by the governor and any interest coupons appertaining thereto shall bear the signature of the state auditor. The countersignature of the governor on such bonds and the signature of the state auditor on any coupons may be their printed or lithographed facsimile signatures. Successive issues of such bonds within the limits of the original authorization shall have equal preference with respect to the redemption thereof and the payment of interest thereon. The department may fix different maturity dates, serially or otherwise, for successive issues under any one original authorization. The bonds shall be negotiable instruments under the law merchant. All bonds issued and sold hereunder shall be sold on sealed bids to the highest and best bidder after such advertising for bids as the department deems proper. The department may reject any and all bids and may thereafter sell the bonds at private sale under such terms and conditions as it deems most advantageous to its own interests; but not at a price below that of the best bid which was rejected. The department may contract loans and borrow money through the sale of bonds of the same character as those herein authorized, from the United States or any agency thereof, upon such conditions and terms as may be agreed to and the bonds shall be subject to all the provisions of this chapter, except the requirement that they be first offered at public sale.

Temporary or interim bonds, certificates, or receipts, of any denomination, and with or without coupons attached, signed by the state auditor, may be issued and delivered until bonds are executed and available for delivery.

Liberal construction—Severability—1983 c 167: See RCW 39.46.010 and note following.

Purpose—1970 ex.s. c 56: See note following RCW 39.52.020.

Validation—Saving—Severability—1969 ex.s. c 232: See notes following RCW 39.52.020.

The proceeds from the sale of all bonds authorized under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid to the state treasurer for the credit of the department and be deposited as demand deposits forthwith in such depositary or depositaries as may be authorized by law to receive deposits of state funds to the credit of a fund to be designated as the construction fund of the particular toll bridge or toll bridges for which such bonds were issued and sold, which fund shall not be a state fund and shall at all times be kept segregated and set apart from all other funds and in trust for the purposes herein set out. Such proceeds shall be paid out or disbursed solely for the construction of such toll bridge or toll bridges, the acquisition of the necessary lands and easements therefor and the payment of interest on such bonds during the period of actual construction and for a period of six months thereafter, only as the need therefor shall arise. The department may agree with the purchaser of the bonds upon any conditions or limitations restricting the disbursement of such funds that may be deemed advisable, for the purpose of assuring the proper application of such funds. All moneys in such fund and not required to meet current construction costs of the toll bridge or toll bridges for which such bonds were issued and sold, and all funds constituting surplus revenues that are not immediately needed for the particular object or purpose to which they must be applied or are pledged shall be invested in bonds and obligations of the nature eligible for investment of surplus state moneys: PROVIDED, That the department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of these bonds that the investment of such moneys shall be made only in particular bonds and obligations within the classifications eligible for such investment, and such provisions shall thereupon be binding upon the department and all officials having anything to do with the investment. Any surplus which may exist in the construction fund shall be applied to the retirement of bonds issued for the construction of such toll bridge or toll bridges by purchase or call. If these bonds cannot be purchased at a price satisfactory to the department and are not by their terms callable prior to maturity, the surplus shall be paid into the fund applicable to the payment of principal and interest of the bonds and shall be used for that purpose. The proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds may provide limitations and conditions upon the time and manner of applying the surplus to the purchase and call of outstanding bonds and the terms upon which they shall be purchased or called. Such limitations and conditions shall be followed and observed in the application and use of the surplus. All bonds so retired by purchase or call shall be immediately canceled.

All tolls or other revenues received from the operation of any toll bridge or toll bridges constructed with the proceeds of bonds issued and sold hereunder shall be paid over by the department to the state treasurer. The treasurer shall deposit them forthwith as demand deposits in a depositary or depositaries authorized by law to receive deposits of state funds. The deposit shall be made to the credit of a special trust fund designated as the toll revenue fund of the particular toll bridge or toll bridges producing the tolls or revenue, which fund shall be a trust fund and shall at all times be kept segregated and set apart from all other funds.

A special account to be known as the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account is created in the motor vehicle fund in the state treasury.

(1) Deposits to the account must include:

(a) All proceeds of bonds issued for construction of the Tacoma Narrows public-private initiative project, including any capitalized interest;

(b) All of the toll charges and other revenues received from the operation of the Tacoma Narrows bridge as a toll facility, to be deposited at least monthly;

(c) Any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;

(d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for the purpose of building the second Tacoma Narrows bridge;

(e) All liquidated damages collected under any contract involving the construction of the second Tacoma Narrows bridge; and

(f) Beginning with September 2022 and ending July 1, 2032, by the last day of September, December, March, and June of each year, the state treasurer shall transfer from the general fund to the account the sum of $3,250,000. The total amount that may be transferred pursuant to this subsection is $130,000,000.

(2) Proceeds of bonds shall be used consistent with RCW 47.46.130, including the reimbursement of expenses and fees incurred under agreements entered into under RCW 47.46.040 as required by those agreements.

(3) Toll charges, other revenues, and interest may only be used to:

(a) Pay required costs that contribute directly to the financing, operation, maintenance, management, and necessary repairs of the tolled facility, as determined by rule by the transportation commission; and

(b) Repay amounts to the motor vehicle fund as required under RCW 47.46.140.

(4) Toll charges, other revenues, and interest may not be used to pay for costs that do not contribute directly to the financing, operation, maintenance, management, and necessary repairs of the tolled facility, as determined by rule by the transportation commission.

(5) The department shall make detailed quarterly expenditure reports available to the transportation commission and to the public on the department's website using current department resources.

(6) When repaying the motor vehicle fund under RCW 47.46.140, the state treasurer shall transfer funds from the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account to the motor vehicle fund on or before each debt service date for bonds issued for the Tacoma Narrows public-private initiative project in an amount sufficient to repay the motor vehicle fund for amounts transferred from that fund to the highway bond retirement fund to provide for any bond principal and interest due on that date. The state treasurer may establish subaccounts for the purpose of segregating toll charges, bond sale proceeds, and other revenues.

Finding—Intent—2002 c 114: See RCW 47.46.011.

Captions not law—2002 c 114: See note following RCW 47.46.011.

(1) The toll collection account is created in the custody of the state treasurer for the deposit of prepaid customer tolls and clearing activities benefiting multiple toll facilities.

(2) All receipts from prepaid customer tolls must be deposited into the account. Prepaid customer tolls may be used only to refund customer prepaid tolls or for distributions to the appropriate toll facility account based on an equitable methodology to be determined by the department in consultation with the office of financial management. For purposes of accounting, distributions from the account constitute earned toll revenues in the receiving toll facility account at the time of distribution.

(3) Operations that benefit multiple toll facilities may be recorded in the account. At least monthly, operating activities must be distributed to the benefiting toll facility accounts.

(4) On a monthly basis, interest earnings on deposits in the account must be distributed to the toll facility accounts based on an equitable methodology to be determined by the department in consultation with the office of financial management.

(5) Only the secretary of transportation or the secretary's designee may authorize distributions from the account. Distributions of revenue and refunds from this account are not subject to the allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW and an appropriation is not required.

Contingent effective date—2010 c 249: See note following RCW 47.56.795.

Effective date—2008 c 122 §§ 23 and 24: "Sections 23 and 24 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately [March 25, 2008]." [ 2008 c 122 § 26.]

From the money deposited in each separate construction fund under RCW 47.56.160, the state treasurer shall transfer to the place or places of payment named in the bonds such sums as may be required to pay the interest as it becomes due on all bonds sold and outstanding for the construction of a particular toll bridge or toll bridges during the period of actual construction and during the period of six months immediately thereafter. The state treasurer shall thereafter transfer from each separate toll revenue fund to the place or places of payment named in the bonds such sums as may be required to pay the interest on the bonds and redeem the principal thereof as the interest payments and bond redemption become due for all bonds issued and sold for the construction of the particular toll bridge or toll bridges producing the tolls or revenues so deposited in the toll revenue fund. All funds so transferred for the payment of principal or interest on bonds issued for any particular toll bridge shall be segregated and applied solely for the payment of that principal or interest. The proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds may provide for setting up a reserve fund or funds out of the tolls and other revenues not needed for the payment of principal and interest, as the same currently matures and for the preservation and continuance of the fund in a manner to be provided therein. The proceedings may also require the immediate application of all surplus moneys in the toll revenue fund to the retirement of the bonds prior to maturity, by call or purchase, in such manner and upon such terms and the payment of such premiums as may be deemed advisable in the judgment of the department.

The moneys remaining in each separate toll revenue fund after providing the amount required for interest and redemption of bonds as provided in this section shall be held and applied as provided in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds. If the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds do not require surplus revenues to be held or applied in any particular manner, they shall be allocated and used for such other purposes incidental to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the toll bridge or bridges as the department may determine.

Warrants for payments to be made on account of the bonds shall be duly drawn by the state treasurer on vouchers approved by the department.

Moneys required to meet the costs of construction and all expenses and costs incidental to the construction of any particular toll bridge or toll bridges or to meet the costs of operating, maintaining, and repairing the bridge or bridges shall be paid from the proper fund therefor by the state treasurer upon vouchers approved by the department.

All interest received or earned on money deposited in each and every fund provided for in this chapter shall be credited to and become a part of the particular fund upon which the interest accrues.

The department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds or may otherwise agree with the purchasers of bonds regarding the deposit of all moneys constituting the construction fund and the toll revenue fund and provide for the deposit of the money at such times and with such depositaries or paying agents and upon the furnishing of security as meets with the approval of the purchasers of the bonds so long as the depositaries and security provided for or agreed upon are qualified and eligible in accordance with the requirements of law.

Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter, the proceeds received from the sale of bonds and the tolls or other revenues received from the operation of any toll bridge or toll bridges may be used to defray any expenses incurred by the department in connection with and incidental to the issuance and sale of bonds for the construction of the toll bridge or toll bridges including expenses for the preparation of surveys and estimates and making inspections and examinations required by the purchasers of the bonds. In addition, the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds may contain appropriate provisions governing the use and application of the bond proceeds and toll or other revenues for the purposes herein specified.

While any bonds issued by the department under this chapter remain outstanding, the powers, duties, or existence of the department or of any other official or agency of the state shall not be diminished or impaired in any manner that will affect adversely the interests and rights of the holders of such bonds. The holder of any bond may by mandamus or other appropriate proceeding require and compel the performance of any of the duties imposed upon any state department, official, or employee, or imposed upon the department or its officers, agents, and employees in connection with the construction, maintenance, operation, and insurance of any bridge, and in connection with the collection, deposit, investment, application, and disbursement of all tolls and other revenues derived from the operation and use of any bridge and in connection with the deposit, investment, and disbursement of the proceeds received from the sale of bonds. The enumeration of rights and remedies in this section shall not be deemed to exclude the exercise or prosecution of any other rights or remedies by the holders of the bonds.

Except as otherwise provided in RCW * 47.56.291, ** 47.56.714, and * 47.56.756, as long as any of the bonds issued hereunder for the construction of any toll bridge are outstanding and unpaid, there shall not be erected, constructed, or maintained any other bridge or other crossing over, under, through, or across the waters over which such toll bridge is located or constructed, connecting or joining directly or indirectly the lands or extensions thereof or abutments thereon on both sides of the waters spanned or crossed by such toll bridge within a distance of ten miles from either side of such toll bridge excepting bridges or other highway crossings actually in existence and being maintained, or for which there was outstanding an existing and lawfully issued franchise, at the time of the location of such toll bridge and prior to the time of the authorization of such bonds, and no ferry or other similar means of crossing the said waters within the said distance and connecting or plying directly or indirectly between the lands or extensions thereof or abutments thereon on both sides of the waters spanned or crossed by such bridge shall be maintained or operated or permitted or allowed: PROVIDED, That ferries and other similar means of crossing actually in existence and being maintained and operated, or for which there was outstanding an existing and lawfully issued franchise, at the time of the location of such bridge and prior to the time of the authorization of such bonds, may continue and be permitted to be operated and maintained under such existing rights and franchises, or any lawful renewal or extension thereof. The provisions of this section shall be binding upon the state department of transportation, the state of Washington, and all of its departments, agencies, or instrumentalities as well as any and all private, political, municipal, and public corporations and subdivisions, including cities, counties, and other political subdivisions, and the prohibitions of this section shall restrict and limit the powers of the legislature of the state of Washington in respect to the matters herein mentioned as long as any of such bonds are outstanding and unpaid and shall be deemed to constitute a contract to that effect for the benefit of the holders of all such bonds.

Reviser's note: *(1) RCW 47.56.291 and 47.56.756 were repealed by 2005 c 335 § 5.

**(2) RCW 47.56.714 was repealed by 1990 c 42 § 403, effective September 1, 1990.

Severability—1979 ex.s. c 212: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1979 ex.s. c 212 § 21.]

When any toll bridge or bridges authorized under this chapter is being built by the department, the department may carry or cause to be carried an amount of insurance or indemnity bond or bonds as protection against loss or damage as the department may deem proper. The department is hereby further empowered to carry such an amount of insurance to cover any accident or destruction in part or in whole to any toll bridge or toll bridges until all bonds sold for the construction of the toll bridge or toll bridges and interest accrued thereon have been fully redeemed and paid. All moneys collected on any indemnity bond or insurance policy as the result of any damage or injury to the toll bridge or toll bridges shall be used for the purpose of repairing or rebuilding the toll bridge or toll bridges as long as there are revenue bonds against any such structure outstanding and unredeemed. The department is also empowered to carry insurance or indemnity bonds insuring against the loss of tolls or other revenues to be derived from any such toll bridge or bridges by reason of any interruption in the use of the toll bridge or toll bridges from any cause whatever, and the proceeds of the insurance or indemnity bonds shall be paid into the fund into which the tolls and other revenues of the bridge thus insured are required to be paid and shall be applied to the same purposes and in the same manner as other moneys in the fund. The insurance or indemnity bonds may be in an amount equal to the probable tolls and other revenues to be received from the operation of the toll bridge or toll bridges during any period of time that may be determined by the department and fixed in its discretion, and be paid for out of the toll revenue fund as may be specified in the proceedings. The department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds for the carrying of insurance as authorized by this chapter, and the purchase and carrying of insurance as authorized by this chapter, and the purchase and carrying of such insurance shall thereupon be obligatory upon the department and be paid for out of the toll revenue fund as may be specified in the proceedings.

Except as otherwise provided in RCW 47.56.850, the commission is hereby empowered to fix the rates of toll and other charges for all toll bridges built under the terms of this chapter. Toll charges so fixed may be changed from time to time as conditions warrant. The commission, in establishing toll charges, shall give due consideration to the cost of operating and maintaining such toll bridge or toll bridges including the cost of insurance, and to the amount required annually to meet the redemption of bonds and interest payments on them. The tolls and charges shall be at all times fixed at rates to yield annual revenue equal to annual operating and maintenance expenses including insurance costs and all redemption payments and interest charges of the bonds issued for any particular toll bridge or toll bridges as the bonds become due. The bond redemption and interest payments constitute a first direct charge and lien on all such tolls and other revenues and interest thereon. Sinking funds created therefrom received from the use and operation of the toll bridge or toll bridges, and such tolls and revenues together with the interest earned thereon shall constitute a trust fund for the security and payment of such bonds and shall not be used or pledged for any other purpose as long as any of these bonds are outstanding and unpaid.

The department is authorized to liquidate and close toll facility trust and other facility accounts established outside the state treasury under chapter 47.56 RCW after the removal of tolls from the facility for which the accounts were established. Any balance remaining in the accounts shall thereupon be transferred to the motor vehicle fund. In addition, the department may, after the removal of tolls from a particular facility or facilities, require that all moneys transferred to the place of payment named in the revenue bonds, for the purpose of paying principal or interest or for redemption of the bonds not then expended for such purpose, be returned to the state treasurer for deposit in the motor vehicle fund.

After transfer of such moneys pursuant to RCW 47.56.242, all valid claims against such accounts, including proper claims for refunds for unused commute media and other prepaid toll fees, may be satisfied, and any outstanding bonds or any coupons may be redeemed by payment from the motor vehicle fund upon proper application to and approval by the department of transportation.

Neither the provisions of this section nor of RCW 47.56.242 shall be construed to preclude any remedy otherwise available to bond owners or coupon holders.

Liberal construction—Severability—1983 c 167: See RCW 39.46.010 and note following.

The department shall retain toll charges on all existing and future facilities until all costs of investigation, financing, acquisition of property, and construction advanced from the motor vehicle fund, and obligations incurred under RCW 47.56.250 and chapter 16, Laws of 1945 have been fully paid.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, with respect to every facility completed after March 19, 1953, costs of maintenance and operation shall be paid periodically out of the revenues of the facility in which such costs were incurred.

(2) Where a state toll facility is constructed under chapter 47.46 RCW adjacent to or within two miles of an existing bridge that was constructed under this chapter, revenue from the toll facility may not be used to pay for costs of maintenance on the existing bridge.

Finding—Intent—2002 c 114: See RCW 47.46.011.

Captions not law—2002 c 114: See note following RCW 47.46.011.

The department may issue permits for the passage of vehicles on any or all of its toll bridges, toll tunnels, toll roads, or for the Washington state ferry system on a credit basis upon such terms and conditions as the department deems proper.

Severability—1961 c 258: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1961 c 258 § 3.]

The department may require the holder of the permit to furnish to and maintain in force with the department a cash deposit or a corporate surety bond. The department may require the holder of the permit to increase the amount of cash bond, or to furnish an additional surety bond, or may reduce the amount of the cash bond or surety bond required, as the amount of charges incurred and regularity of payment warrant, or may revoke any permit granted for failure of the holder to comply with any of its terms.

Severability—1961 c 258: See note following RCW 47.56.247.

Whenever a proposed toll bridge, toll road, toll tunnel, or any other toll facility of any sort is to be constructed, any city, county, or other political subdivision located in relation to such facility so as to benefit directly or indirectly thereby, may, either jointly or separately, at the request of the transportation commission advance or contribute money, or bonds, rights-of-way, labor, materials, and other property toward the expense of building the toll facility, and for preliminary surveys and the preparation of plans and estimates of cost therefor and other preliminary expenses. Any such city, county, or other political subdivision may, either jointly or separately, at the request of the transportation commission advance or contribute money or bonds for the purpose of guaranteeing the payment of interest or principal on the bonds issued by the commission to finance the toll facility. Appropriations for such purposes may be made from any funds available, including county road funds received from or credited by the state, or funds obtained by excess tax levies made pursuant to law or the issuance of general obligation bonds for this purpose. General obligation bonds issued by a city, county, or political subdivision may with the consent of the commission be placed with the department of transportation to be sold by the department to provide funds for such purpose. Money, or bonds, or property so advanced or contributed may be immediately transferred or delivered to the department to be used for the purpose for which contribution was made. The commission may enter into an agreement with a city, county, or other political subdivision to repay any money, or bonds or the value of a right-of-way, labor, materials, or other property so advanced or contributed. The commission may make such repayment to a city, county, or other political subdivision and reimburse the state for any expenditures made by it in connection with the toll facility out of tolls and other revenues for the use of the toll facility.

If the department deems it in the public interest and not inconsistent with the use and operation of the toll facility involved, the department may on application therefor issue a permit, lease, or license to the state, or to any city, county, port district, or other political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state to use any portion of the property of any toll bridge, toll road, toll tunnel, or Washington state ferry system upon such terms and conditions as the department may prescribe.

Severability—1961 c 257: "If any provision of this act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1961 c 257 § 7.]

If the secretary of transportation determines that any real property (including lands, improvements thereon, and any interests or estates) originally acquired for toll facility purposes is no longer required for purposes of the department, the department shall offer it for sale as authorized by RCW 47.12.063 or 47.12.283. The department may adopt rules further implementing this section.

Effective date—1979 ex.s. c 189: See note following RCW 47.12.283.

Severability—1961 c 257: See note following RCW 47.56.253.

When full payment for real property agreed to be sold as authorized by RCW 47.56.254 has been received, the department may certify this fact to the governor, with a description of the land and terms of the sale, and the governor may execute and the secretary of state shall attest the deed and deliver it to the grantee.

Severability—1961 c 257: See note following RCW 47.56.253.

If the department deems it not inconsistent with the use and operation of any department facility, the department may grant franchises to persons, associations, private or municipal corporations, the United States government, or any agency thereof, to use any portion of the property of any toll bridge, toll road, toll tunnel, or the Washington state ferry system, including approaches thereto, for the construction and maintenance of water pipes, flumes, gas pipes, telephone, telegraph, and electric light and power lines and conduits, trams or railways, any structures or facilities that are part of an urban public transportation system owned or operated by a municipal corporation, agency, or department of the state of Washington other than the department of transportation, and any other such facilities in the manner of granting franchises on state highways.

Severability—1961 c 257: See note following RCW 47.56.253.

Urban public transportation system defined: RCW 47.04.082.

Any moneys received pursuant to the provisions of RCW 47.56.253 through 47.56.256 shall be deposited into the separate and proper trust fund with the state treasurer established for the respective toll facility.

Effective date—1979 ex.s. c 189: See note following RCW 47.12.283.

Severability—1961 c 257: See note following RCW 47.56.253.

Actions under this chapter are subject to the notification requirements of RCW 43.17.400.

Finding—Intent—Severability—2007 c 62: See notes following RCW 43.17.400.

The 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge in chapter 47.17 RCW made a part of the primary state highways of the state of Washington shall, upon completion, be operated, maintained, kept up, and repaired by the department in the manner provided in this chapter, and the cost of such operation, maintenance, upkeep, and repair shall be paid from funds appropriated for the use of the department for the construction and maintenance of the primary state highways of the state of Washington. This section does not apply to that portion of the Tacoma Narrows bridge facility first opened to traffic after June 13, 2002.

Finding—Intent—2002 c 114: See RCW 47.46.011.

Captions not law—2002 c 114: See note following RCW 47.46.011.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge hereinbefore by the provisions of RCW 47.17.065 and 47.56.270 made a part of the primary state highways of the state shall be operated and maintained by the department as a toll-free facility at such time as the bonded indebtedness relating to the construction of the 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge is wholly retired and tolls equaling the indebtedness of the toll bridge authority incurred for the construction of the 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge to the county of Pierce have been collected. Toll charges may be imposed upon the 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge only if that bridge is included as part of a public toll bridge facility that includes an additional toll bridge adjacent to the 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge and constructed under RCW 47.46.080.

Finding—Intent—2002 c 114: See RCW 47.46.011.

Captions not law—2002 c 114: See note following RCW 47.46.011.

The department may permit public sport fishing from the Hood Canal bridge. The department may adopt rules governing public use of the bridge for sport fishing to the end that such activity shall not interfere with the primary use and operation of the bridge as a highway facility. Notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 4.92.090 or any other statute imposing liability upon the state of Washington, the state hereby disclaims any liability arising out of loss or injury in connection with the public use of the Hood Canal bridge for sport fishing purposes.

For the purposes of RCW 46.61.165, * 47.56.403, and * 47.66.090, "high occupancy toll lanes" means one or more lanes of a highway that charges tolls as a means of regulating access to or the use of the facility, to maintain travel speed and reliability. Supporting facilities include, but are not limited to, approaches, enforcement areas, improvements, buildings, and equipment.

*Reviser's note: RCW 47.56.403 and 47.66.090 were repealed by 2019 c 421 § 16.

Intent—2005 c 312: "The legislature recognizes that the Puget Sound region is faced with growing traffic congestion and has limited ability to expand freeway capacity due to financial, environmental, and physical constraints. Freeway high occupancy vehicle lanes have been an effective means of providing transit, vanpools, and carpools with a fast trip on congested freeway corridors, but in many cases, these lanes are themselves getting crowded during the peak commute times, while some are being underused at off-peak times.

It is the intent of the legislature to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the freeway system. To evaluate methods to accomplish this, it is beneficial to evaluate alternative approaches to managing the use of freeway high occupancy vehicle lanes, including pilot projects to determine and demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of implementing high occupancy toll lanes. The legislature acknowledges that state route 167 provides an ideal test of the high occupancy toll lane concept because it is a congested corridor, it has underused capacity in the high occupancy vehicle lane, and it has adequate right-of-way for improvements needed to test the concept. Therefore, it is the intent of this act to direct that the department of transportation, as a pilot project, develop and operate a high occupancy toll lane on state route 167 in King county and to conduct an evaluation of that project to determine impacts on freeway efficiency, effectiveness for transit, feasibility of financing improvements through tolls, and the impacts on freeway users." [ 2005 c 312 § 1.]

Captions—2005 c 312: "Section captions used in this act are not any part of the law." [ 2005 c 312 § 9.]

Upon adoption of the financing plan the commission and the authority, acting jointly, shall forthwith proceed to make the design for the entire project.

Reviser's note: Powers, duties, and functions of highway commission and toll bridge authority transferred to department of transportation; see RCW 47.01.031. Terms "commission" and "authority" mean department of transportation; see RCW 47.04.015.

The state highway bridge across the Spokane river in the vicinity of Trent Avenue in Spokane shall be known and designated as the James E. Keefe bridge.

After September 1, 1990, ownership of the Spokane river toll bridge, known as the Maple Street bridge, shall revert to the city of Spokane.

Purpose—Effective dates—Application—Implementation—1990 c 42: See notes following RCW 46.68.090.

Severability—1979 c 131: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1979 c 131 § 11.]

(1) The legislature finds that the ferry operated by Wahkiakum county between Puget Island and Westport on the Columbia river provides an important transportation bypass for state route 4 and provides the only crossing of the Columbia river between the Astoria-Megler bridge and the Longview bridge.

(2) The department is hereby authorized to enter into a continuing agreement with Wahkiakum county pursuant to which the department shall pay to Wahkiakum county from moneys appropriated for such purpose monthly amounts not to exceed 85 percent of the operating and maintenance deficit with a maximum not to exceed the amount appropriated for that biennium to be used in the operation and maintenance of the Puget Island ferry, commencing July 1, 1992.

(3) The annual deficit, if any, incurred in the operation and maintenance of the ferry shall be determined by Wahkiakum county subject to the approval of the department. If 85 percent of the deficit for the preceding fiscal year exceeds the total amount paid to the county for that year, the additional amount shall be paid to the county by the department upon the receipt of a properly executed voucher. The fares established by the county shall be comparable to those used for similar runs on the state ferry system.

(4) Whenever, subsequent to June 9, 1977, state route 4 between Cathlamet and Longview is closed to traffic pursuant to chapter 47.48 RCW due to actual or potential slide conditions and there is no suitable, reasonably short alternate state route provided, Wahkiakum county is authorized to operate the Puget Island ferry on a toll-free basis during the entire period of such closure. The state's share of the ferry operations and maintenance deficit during such period shall be 100 percent.

(5) Whenever state route 4 between Cathlamet and Longview is closed to traffic, as mentioned in subsection (4) [of this subsection] hereof, the state of Washington shall provide temporary rest room facilities at the Washington ferry landing terminal.

Effective date—1987 c 368: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1987." [ 1987 c 368 § 2.]

Effective date—1973 2nd ex.s. c 26: "This 1973 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect October 1, 1973." [ 1973 2nd ex.s. c 26 § 3.]

(1) The department is hereby authorized to enter into a continuing agreement with Pierce, Skagit, and Whatcom counties pursuant to which the department shall, from time to time, direct the distribution to each of the counties the amounts authorized in subsection (2) of this section in accordance with RCW 46.68.090.

(2) The department is authorized to include in each agreement a provision for the distribution of funds to each county to reimburse the county for fifty percent of the deficit incurred during each previous fiscal year in the operation and maintenance of the ferry system owned and operated by the county. The total amount to be reimbursed to Pierce, Skagit, and Whatcom counties collectively shall not exceed one million eight hundred thousand dollars in the 2015-2017 biennium. For subsequent biennia, the amount authorized in this section must increase by the fiscal growth factor as defined in RCW 43.135.025. Each county agreement shall contain a requirement that the county shall maintain tolls on its ferries at least equal to published fares in place on January 1, 2015, excluding surcharges.

(3) The annual fiscal year operating and maintenance deficit, if any, shall be determined by Pierce, Skagit, and Whatcom counties subject to review and approval of the department. The annual fiscal year operating and maintenance deficit is defined as the total of operations and maintenance expenditures less the sum of ferry toll revenues and that portion of fuel tax revenue distributions which are attributable to the county ferry as determined by the department. Distribution of the amounts authorized by subsection (2) of this section by the state treasurer shall be directed by the department upon the receipt of properly executed vouchers from each county.

(4) The county road administration board may evaluate requests by Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom counties for county ferry capital improvement funds. The board shall evaluate the requests and, if approved by a majority of the board, submit the requests to the legislature for funding out of the amounts available under RCW 46.68.090(2)(h). Any county making a request under this subsection shall first seek funding through the public works trust fund, or any other available revenue source, where appropriate.

Effective date—1999 c 269: See note following RCW 36.78.070.

Effective date—1977 c 51: "This 1977 amendatory act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on July 1, 1977." [ 1977 c 51 § 4.]

Severability—1977 c 51: "If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1977 c 51 § 3.]

The legislature finds that the public health, safety, and welfare require that "No Smoking" areas be established on all state ferries since there is a significant number of our citizens who are nonsmokers. The department is hereby authorized and directed to adopt rules pursuant to the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, to establish and clearly designate areas on all state-operated ferries that are expressly reserved for use by nonsmokers.

The state finance committee is authorized to issue refunding bonds and use other available money to refund, defease, and redeem all of those toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal bridge refunding revenue bonds under RCW 47.56.771 through 47.56.774.

Legislative declaration—1993 c 4: "It is declared that it is in the best interest of the state to modify the debt service and reserve requirements, sources of payment, covenants, and other terms of the outstanding toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal bridge refunding revenue bonds." [ 1993 c 4 § 1.]

Effective date—1993 c 4: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [March 12, 1993]." [ 1993 c 4 § 11.]

(1) The refunding bonds authorized under RCW 47.56.770 must be general obligation bonds of the state of Washington and must be issued in a total principal amount not to exceed fifteen million dollars. The exact amount of refunding bonds to be issued must be determined by the state finance committee after calculating the amount of money deposited with the trustee for the bonds to be refunded which can be used to redeem or defease outstanding toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal bridge revenue bonds after the setting aside of sufficient money from that fund to pay the first interest installment on the refunding bonds. The refunding bonds must be serial in form maturing at such time, in such amounts, having such denomination or denominations, redemption privileges, and having such terms and conditions as determined by the state finance committee. The last maturity date of the refunding bonds may not be later than January 1, 2002.

(2) The refunding bonds must be signed by the governor and the state treasurer under the seal of the state, which signatures must be made manually or in printed facsimile. The bonds must be registered in the name of the owner in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW. The refunding bonds must distinctly state that they are a general obligation of the state of Washington, must pledge the full faith and credit of the state, and must contain an unconditional promise to pay the principal thereof and the interest thereon when due. The refunding bonds must be fully negotiable instruments.

(3) The principal and interest on the refunding bonds must be first payable in the manner provided in this section from the proceeds of state excise taxes on fuels imposed by chapter 82.38 RCW.

(4) The principal of and interest on the refunding bonds must be paid first from the state excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels deposited in the ferry bond retirement fund. There is hereby pledged the proceeds of state excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels imposed under chapter 82.38 RCW to pay the refunding bonds and interest thereon, and the legislature hereby agrees to continue to impose the same excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels in amounts sufficient to pay, when due, the principal and interest on the refunding bonds. Not less than fifteen days prior to the date any interest or principal and interest payments are due, the state finance committee must certify to the state treasurer such amount of additional money as may be required for debt service, and the treasurer must thereupon transfer from the motor vehicle fund such amount from the proceeds of such excise taxes into the ferry bond retirement fund. Any proceeds of such excise taxes required for these purposes must first be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund which results from the imposition of the excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and which is distributed to the Puget Sound capital construction account. If the proceeds from excise taxes distributed to the state are ever insufficient to meet the required payments on principal or interest on the refunding bonds when due, the amount required to make the payments on the principal or interest must next be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund which results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and which is distributed to the state, counties, cities, and towns pursuant to RCW 46.68.090. Any payments of the principal or interest taken from the motor vehicle or special fuel tax revenues which are distributable to the counties, cities, and towns must be repaid from the first money distributed to the state not required for redemption of the refunding bonds or interest thereon. The legislature covenants that it will at all times provide sufficient revenues from the imposition of such excise taxes to pay the principal and interest due on the refunding bonds.

Effective date—2013 c 225: See note following RCW 82.38.010.

Effective date—1999 c 269: See note following RCW 36.78.070.

Legislative declaration—Effective date—1993 c 4: See notes following RCW 47.56.770.

Upon the issuance of refunding bonds as authorized by RCW 47.56.770, the department of transportation may liquidate the existing bond fund and other funds and accounts established in the proceedings which authorized the issuance of the outstanding toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal bridge refunding revenue bonds and apply the money contained in those funds and accounts to the defeasance and redemption of outstanding toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal refunding revenue bonds, except that prior to such bond redemption, money sufficient to pay the first interest installment on the refunding bonds shall be deposited in the ferry bond retirement fund. Money remaining in such funds not used for such bond defeasance and redemption or first interest installment on the refunding bonds shall be transferred to and deposited in the Puget Sound ferry operations account created under RCW 47.60.530.

Legislative finding—Effective dates—1999 c 94: See notes following RCW 43.84.092.

Legislative declaration—Effective date—1993 c 4: See notes following RCW 47.56.770.

Any money appropriated from the Puget Sound capital construction account under section 10, chapter 4, Laws of 1993 and expended to pay expenses of issuing the refunding bonds authorized by RCW 47.56.770, and any money in the Puget Sound capital construction account subsequently used to pay principal and interest on the refunding bonds authorized by RCW 47.56.770 shall be repaid to the Puget Sound capital construction account for use by the department of transportation.

Legislative declaration—Effective date—1993 c 4: See notes following RCW 47.56.770.

Except as otherwise provided by statute, the refunding bonds issued under authority of RCW 47.56.770, the bonds authorized by RCW 47.60.560 through 47.60.640, the bonds authorized by RCW 47.26.420 through 47.26.427, and any general obligation bonds of the state of Washington which have been or may be authorized by the legislature after the enactment of those sections and which pledge motor vehicle and special fuel excise taxes for the payment of principal thereof and interest thereon shall be an equal charge and lien against the revenues from such motor vehicle and special fuel excise taxes.

Legislative declaration—Effective date—1993 c 4: See notes following RCW 47.56.770.

(1) Following the submission of the report required in section 6, chapter 270, Laws of 2008, the department may seek authorization from the legislature to collect tolls on the existing state route number 520 bridge or on a replacement state route number 520 bridge.

(2) The schedule of toll charges must be established by the transportation commission and collected in a manner determined by the department.

Finding—2008 c 270: See note following RCW 47.01.408.

The department shall work with the federal highways administration to determine the necessary actions for receiving federal authorization to toll the Interstate 90 floating bridge. The department must periodically report the status of those discussions to the governor and the joint transportation committee.

Finding—2008 c 270: See note following RCW 47.01.408.

(1) A toll collection system may include, but is not limited to, electronic toll collection and photo tolling.

(2)(a) A photo toll system may take photographs, digital photographs, microphotographs, videotapes, or other recorded images of the vehicle and vehicle license plate only.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all photographs, digital photographs, microphotographs, videotape, other recorded images, or other records identifying a specific instance of travel prepared under this chapter are for the exclusive use of the tolling agency for toll collection and enforcement purposes and are not open to the public and may not be used in a court in a pending action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding relates to a civil penalty under RCW 46.63.160. No photograph, digital photograph, microphotograph, videotape, other recorded image, or other record identifying a specific instance of travel may be used for any purpose other than toll collection or enforcement of civil penalties under RCW 46.63.160. Records identifying a specific instance of travel by a specific person or vehicle must be retained only as required to ensure payment and enforcement of tolls and to comply with state records retention policies. Aggregate records that do not identify an individual, vehicle, or account may be maintained.

(3) The department and its agents shall only use electronic toll collection system technology for toll collection purposes.

(4) Tolls may be collected and paid by the following methods:

(a) A customer may pay an electronic toll through an electronic toll collection account;

(b) A customer may pay a photo toll either through a customer-initiated payment or in response to a toll bill; or

(c) A customer may pay with cash on toll facilities that have a manual cash collection system.

(5) To the extent practicable, the department shall adopt electronic toll collection options, which allow for anonymous customer accounts and anonymous accounts that are not linked to a specific vehicle.

(6) The transportation commission shall adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, to assess administrative fees as appropriate for toll collection processes. Administrative fees must not exceed toll collection costs. All administrative fees collected under this section must be deposited into the toll facility account of the facility on which the toll was assessed.

(7) Failure to pay a photo toll by the toll payment due date is a violation for which a notice of civil penalty may be issued under RCW 46.63.160.

(8) For an electronic toll collection system that uses an in-vehicle device, such as a transponder, to identify a particular customer for the purposes of paying an electronic toll from that customer's toll collection account, the department must allow such in-vehicle devices to be offered for sale at vehicle dealers.

Contingent effective date—2010 c 249: "This act takes effect upon certification by the secretary of transportation that the new statewide tolling operations center and photo toll system are fully operational. A notice of certification must be filed with the code reviser for publication in the state register. If a certificate is not issued by the secretary of transportation by December 1, 2012, this act is null and void." [ 2010 c 249 § 12.] A notice of certification was filed with the code reviser on December 2, 2011, becoming effective December 3, 2011 (see WSR 11-24-042).

(1) Consistent with RCW 43.135.055 and 47.56.805 through 47.56.876, the legislature approves the action taken by the transportation commission on January 5, 2011, adopting amended rules to set the schedule of toll rates applicable to the state route number 520 corridor. The legislature further authorizes the transportation commission, as the tolling authority for the state, to set and adjust toll rates on the state route number 520 corridor in accordance with the authorization, requirements, and guidelines set forth in RCW 47.56.830, 47.56.850, and 47.56.870. The transportation commission may adjust the toll rates, as identified in the adopted schedule of toll rates, only in amounts not greater than those sufficient to meet (a) the operating costs of the state route number 520 corridor, including necessary maintenance, preservation, renewal, replacement, administration, and toll enforcement by public law enforcement and (b) obligations for the timely payment of debt service on bonds issued under chapter 498, Laws of 2009 and chapter 377, Laws of 2011, and any other associated financing costs including, but not limited to, required reserves, minimum debt coverage or other appropriate contingency funding, insurance, and compliance with all other financial and other covenants made by the state in the bond proceedings. Prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, the transportation commission must provide the transportation committees of the legislature with a detailed report regarding any increase or decrease in any toll rate approved by the commission that has not been described in a previous report provided pursuant to this subsection (1), along with a detailed justification for each such increase or decrease.

(2) Consistent with RCW 43.135.055 and 47.46.100, the legislature approves the action taken by the transportation commission on January 25, 2011, adopting amended rules to set the schedule of photo toll, or "pay by mail," charges applicable to the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, the transportation commission must provide the transportation committees of the legislature with a detailed report regarding any increase or decrease in any toll rate approved by the commission that has not been described in a previous report provided pursuant to this subsection (2), along with a detailed justification for each such increase or decrease.

(3) Consistent with RCW 43.135.055 and 47.56.795(6), the legislature approves the action taken by the transportation commission on January 5, 2011, adopting amended rules concerning the assessment of administrative fees for toll collection processes. The administrative fees must not exceed toll collection costs.

Effective date—2011 c 377: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 16, 2011]." [ 2011 c 377 § 8.]

The legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to use tolling to provide a source of transportation funding and to encourage effective use of the transportation system.

The legislature intends that the policy framework created by chapter 122, Laws of 2008 will guide subsequent legislation and decisions regarding the tolling of specific facilities and corridors. For each state-owned facility or corridor, the legislature intends that it will authorize the budget and finance plan. Specific issues that may be addressed in the finance plan and budget authorization legislation include the amount of financing required for a facility or corridor, the budget for any construction and operations financed by tolling, whether and how variable pricing will be applied, and the timing of tolling.

The legislature also intends that while the transportation commission, as the toll-setting authority, may set toll rates for facilities, corridors, or systems thereof, the legislature reserves the authority to impose tolls on any state transportation route or facility. Similarly, local or quasi-local entities that retain the power to impose tolls may do so as long as the effect of those tolls on the state highway system is consistent with the policy guidelines detailed in chapter 122, Laws of 2008. If the imposition of tolls could have an impact on state facilities, the state tolling authority must review and approve such tolls.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) "Eligible toll facility" or "eligible toll facilities" means portions of the state highway system specifically identified by the legislature including, but not limited to, transportation corridors, bridges, crossings, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps, approaches, bistate facilities, and interconnections between highways.

(2) "Express toll lanes" means one or more high occupancy vehicle lanes of a highway in which the department charges tolls primarily as a means of regulating access to or use of the lanes to maintain travel speed and reliability.

(3) "Toll revenue" or "revenue from an eligible toll facility" means toll receipts, all interest income derived from the investment of toll receipts, and any gifts, grants, or other funds received for the benefit of transportation facilities in the state, including eligible toll facilities.

(4) "Tolling authority" means the governing body that is legally empowered to review and adjust toll rates. Unless otherwise delegated, the transportation commission is the tolling authority for all state highways.

Reviser's note: (1) The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

(2) This section was amended by 2011 c 369 § 2 and by 2011 c 377 § 7, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Finding—2012 c 36: "The legislature finds that the replacement and improvement of the Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing is critical for the west coast's transportation system and for the safety of Washington and Oregon drivers. The interstate bridge includes two side-by-side structures built in 1917 and 1958. In 2005, approximately one hundred thirty-four thousand vehicles traveled across the interstate bridge each day, and about forty billion dollars in freight crosses the river each year. Collisions on and near the bridge occur at a rate almost twice as high as other similar urban highways, and the aging bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. Replacing these structures and making multimodal improvements to facilitate travel in the bistate corridor is essential for the economy of the region. Therefore, the state must develop a comprehensive approach to fund an Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing project." [ 2012 c 36 § 1.]

*Contingent effective date—2012 c 36: "Except for section 4 of this act, this act takes effect upon, and tolls may not be collected on the Columbia river crossing project until: (1) Certification of the secretary of transportation to the governor that the department of transportation has received satisfactory evidence that sufficient funding, including federal funds, will be available to complete the phase of the Columbia river crossing project that includes the construction of the Columbia river bridge and landings; and (2) the agreement or agreements described in section 4 of this act have taken effect. If the secretary of transportation does not provide such certification to the governor by December 31, 2015, this act, except for section 4 of this act, is null and void." [ 2012 c 36 § 7.]

*Reviser's note: The contingency in 2012 c 36 § 7 did not occur by December 31, 2015.

Notice of certification and toll rate agreements—2012 c 36: "The secretary of transportation must provide notice that the governor has received certification as described under section 7 of this act to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary. Additionally, the tolling authority, as defined in RCW 47.56.810, must provide written notice that the agreements described under section 4 of this act have taken effect to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the tolling authority." [ 2012 c 36 § 8.]

Effective date—2011 c 377: See note following RCW 47.56.796.

Intent—2011 c 369: See note following RCW 47.56.880.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) "Eligible toll facility" or "eligible toll facilities" means portions of the state highway system specifically identified by the legislature including, but not limited to, transportation corridors, bridges, crossings, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps, approaches, bistate facilities, and interconnections between highways. For purposes of a bistate facility, the legislature may define an "eligible toll facility" to include a part of a project that may extend beyond the state border.

(2) "Express toll lanes" means one or more high occupancy vehicle lanes of a highway in which the department charges tolls primarily as a means of regulating access to or use of the lanes to maintain travel speed and reliability.

(3) "Toll revenue" or "revenue from an eligible toll facility" means toll receipts, all interest income derived from the investment of toll receipts, and any gifts, grants, or other funds received for the benefit of transportation facilities in the state, including eligible toll facilities.

(4) "Tolling authority" means the governing body that is legally empowered to review and adjust toll rates. Unless otherwise delegated, the transportation commission is the tolling authority for all state highways.

Finding—Contingent effective date—2023 c 377: See notes following RCW 47.56.902.

Finding—2012 c 36: "The legislature finds that the replacement and improvement of the Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing is critical for the west coast's transportation system and for the safety of Washington and Oregon drivers. The interstate bridge includes two side-by-side structures built in 1917 and 1958. In 2005, approximately one hundred thirty-four thousand vehicles traveled across the interstate bridge each day, and about forty billion dollars in freight crosses the river each year. Collisions on and near the bridge occur at a rate almost twice as high as other similar urban highways, and the aging bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. Replacing these structures and making multimodal improvements to facilitate travel in the bistate corridor is essential for the economy of the region. Therefore, the state must develop a comprehensive approach to fund an Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing project." [ 2012 c 36 § 1.]

*Contingent effective date—2012 c 36: "Except for section 4 of this act, this act takes effect upon, and tolls may not be collected on the Columbia river crossing project until: (1) Certification of the secretary of transportation to the governor that the department of transportation has received satisfactory evidence that sufficient funding, including federal funds, will be available to complete the phase of the Columbia river crossing project that includes the construction of the Columbia river bridge and landings; and (2) the agreement or agreements described in section 4 of this act have taken effect. If the secretary of transportation does not provide such certification to the governor by December 31, 2015, this act, except for section 4 of this act, is null and void." [ 2012 c 36 § 7.]

*Reviser's note: The contingency in 2012 c 36 § 7 did not occur by December 31, 2015.

Notice of certification and toll rate agreements—2012 c 36: "The secretary of transportation must provide notice that the governor has received certification as described under section 7 of this act to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary. Additionally, the tolling authority, as defined in RCW 47.56.810, must provide written notice that the agreements described under section 4 of this act have taken effect to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the tolling authority." [ 2012 c 36 § 8.]

Effective date—2011 c 377: See note following RCW 47.56.796.

Intent—2011 c 369: See note following RCW 47.56.880.

(1) Unless otherwise delegated, only the legislature may authorize the imposition of tolls on eligible toll facilities.

(2) All revenue from an eligible toll facility must be used only to construct, improve, preserve, maintain, manage, or operate the eligible toll facility on or in which the revenue is collected. Expenditures of toll revenues are subject to appropriation and must be made only:

(a) To cover the operating costs of the eligible toll facility, including necessary maintenance, preservation, administration, and toll enforcement by public law enforcement within the boundaries of the facility;

(b) To meet obligations for the repayment of debt and interest on the eligible toll facilities, and any other associated financing costs including, but not limited to, required reserves and insurance;

(c) To meet any other obligations to provide funding contributions for any projects or operations on the eligible toll facilities;

(d) To provide for the operations of conveyances of people or goods; or

(e) For any other improvements to the eligible toll facilities.

Any proposal for the establishment of eligible toll facilities shall consider the following policy guidelines:

(1) Overall direction. Washington should use tolling to encourage effective use of the transportation system and provide a source of transportation funding.

(2) When to use tolling. Tolling should be used when it can be demonstrated to contribute a significant portion of the cost of a project that cannot be funded solely with existing sources or optimize the performance of the transportation system. Such tolling should, in all cases, be fairly and equitably applied in the context of the statewide transportation system and not have significant adverse impacts through the diversion of traffic to other routes that cannot otherwise be reasonably mitigated. Such tolling should also consider relevant social equity, environmental, and economic issues, and should be directed at making progress toward the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals.

(3) Use of toll revenue. All revenue from an eligible toll facility must be used only to improve, preserve, manage, or operate the eligible toll facility on or in which the revenue is collected. Additionally, toll revenue should provide for and encourage the inclusion of recycled and reclaimed construction materials.

(4) Setting toll rates. Toll rates, which may include variable pricing, must be set to meet anticipated funding obligations. To the extent possible, the toll rates should be set to optimize system performance, recognizing necessary trade-offs to generate revenue.

(5) Duration of toll collection. Because transportation infrastructure projects have costs and benefits that extend well beyond those paid for by initial construction funding, tolls on future toll facilities may remain in place to fund additional capacity, capital rehabilitation, maintenance, management, and operations, and to optimize performance of the system.

(1) A tolling advisory committee may be created at the direction of the tolling authority for any eligible toll facilities. The tolling authority shall appoint nine members to the committee, all of whom must be permanent residents of the affected project area as defined for each project. Members of the committee shall serve without receiving compensation.

(2) The tolling advisory committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the tolling authority on all matters related to the imposition of tolls including, but not limited to: (a) The feasibility of providing discounts; (b) the trade-off of lower tolls versus the early retirement of debt; and (c) consideration of variable or time of day pricing.

(3) In setting toll rates, the tolling authority shall consider recommendations of the tolling advisory committee.

(1) Unless these powers are otherwise delegated by the legislature, the transportation commission is the tolling authority for the state. The tolling authority shall:

(a) Set toll rates, establish appropriate exemptions, if any, and make adjustments as conditions warrant on eligible toll facilities;

(b) Review toll collection policies, toll operations policies, and toll revenue expenditures on the eligible toll facilities and report annually on this review to the legislature.

(2) The tolling authority, in determining toll rates, shall consider the policy guidelines established in RCW 47.56.830.

(3) Unless otherwise directed by the legislature, in setting and periodically adjusting toll rates, the tolling authority must ensure that toll rates will generate revenue sufficient to:

(a) Meet the operating costs of the eligible toll facilities, including necessary maintenance, preservation, renewal, replacement, administration, and toll enforcement by public law enforcement;

(b) Meet obligations for the timely payment of debt service on bonds issued for eligible toll facilities, and any other associated financing costs including, but not limited to, required reserves, minimum debt coverage or other appropriate contingency funding, insurance, and compliance with all other financial and other covenants made by the state in the bond proceedings;

(c) Meet obligations to reimburse the motor vehicle fund for excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels applied to the payment of bonds issued for eligible toll facilities; and

(d) Meet any other obligations of the tolling authority to provide its proportionate share of funding contributions for any projects or operations of the eligible toll facilities.

(4) The established toll rates may include variable pricing, and should be set to optimize system performance, recognizing necessary trade-offs to generate revenue for the purposes specified in subsection (3) of this section. Tolls may vary for type of vehicle, time of day, traffic conditions, or other factors designed to improve performance of the system.

(5) In fixing and adjusting toll rates under this section, the only toll revenue to be taken into account must be toll revenue pledged to bonds that includes toll receipts, and the only debt service requirements to be taken into account must be debt service on bonds payable from and secured by toll revenue that includes toll receipts.

(6) The legislature pledges to appropriate toll revenue as necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. When the legislature has specifically identified and designated an eligible toll facility and authorized the issuance of bonds for the financing of the eligible toll facility that are payable from and secured by a pledge of toll revenue, the legislature further agrees for the benefit of the owners of outstanding bonds issued by the state for eligible toll facilities to continue in effect and not to impair or withdraw the authorization of the tolling authority to fix and adjust tolls as provided in this section. The state finance committee shall pledge the state's obligation to impose and maintain tolls, together with the application of toll revenue as described in this section, to the owners of any bonds.

Prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, the transportation commission must provide the transportation committees of the legislature with a detailed report regarding any increase or decrease in any toll rate approved by the commission that has not been described in a previous report provided pursuant to this section, along with a detailed justification for each such increase or decrease.

Intent—Effective date—2009 c 472: See notes following RCW 47.56.870.

This subchapter applies only to all state toll bridges and other state toll facilities, excluding the Washington state ferries, first authorized within this state after July 1, 2008. However, this subchapter does not apply to bridges under chapter 47.87 RCW.

(1) The initial imposition of tolls on the portion of state route number 99 that is the deep bore tunnel under First Avenue from the vicinity of the sports stadiums in Seattle to Aurora Avenue north of the Battery Street tunnel is authorized, this portion of state route number 99 is designated an eligible toll facility, and toll revenue generated from this facility must only be expended as allowed under RCW 47.56.820.

(2) The toll imposed under this section must be charged only for travel on the portion of state route number 99 that is a deep bore tunnel.

(3)(a) In setting toll rates for the deep bore tunnel portion of state route number 99 pursuant to RCW 47.56.850, the tolling authority shall set a variable schedule of toll rates to maintain travel time, speed, and reliability on this facility and generate the necessary revenue as required under (b) of this subsection.

(b) The tolling authority may adjust the variable schedule of toll rates at least annually to reflect inflation as measured by the consumer price index to meet the redemption of bonds, to meet the obligations of the tolling authority under RCW 47.56.850, and interest payments on bonds and for those costs that are eligible under RCW 47.56.820.

Finding—Intent—2012 c 83: "The legislature finds that there is an urgent need to replace the central waterfront section of state route number 99, known as the Alaskan Way viaduct, because the viaduct is vulnerable to closure, damage, or catastrophic failure as a result of earthquakes or other events. In 2009, the legislature determined that the finance plan for the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project should include no more than four hundred million dollars in toll funding for the project.

Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to authorize tolling on the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project, both to help finance the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project and to help maintain travel time, speed, and reliability on the portion of state route number 99 that would be replaced by this project." [ 2012 c 83 § 1.]

A special account to be known as the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project account is created in the state treasury.

(1) Deposits to the account must include:

(a) All proceeds of bonds issued for construction of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project, including any capitalized interest;

(b) All of the tolls and other revenues received from the operation of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project as a toll facility, to be deposited at least monthly;

(c) Any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;

(d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for the purpose of building the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project; and

(e) All damages, liquidated or otherwise, collected under any contract involving the construction of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project.

(2) Subject to the covenants made by the state in the bond proceedings authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds for the construction of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project, toll charges, other revenues, and interest received from the operation of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project as a toll facility may be used to:

(a) Pay any required costs allowed under RCW 47.56.820; and

(b) Repay amounts to the motor vehicle fund as required.

(3) When repaying the motor vehicle fund, the state treasurer shall transfer funds from the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project account to the motor vehicle fund on or before each debt service date for bonds issued for the construction of the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project in an amount sufficient to repay the motor vehicle fund for amounts transferred from that fund to the highway bond retirement fund to provide for any bond principal and interest due on that date. The state treasurer may establish subaccounts for the purpose of segregating toll charges, bond sale proceeds, and other revenues.

Finding—Intent—2012 c 83: See note following RCW 47.56.862.

(1) The initial imposition of tolls on the state route number 520 corridor is authorized, the state route number 520 corridor is designated an eligible toll facility, and toll revenue generated in the corridor must only be expended as allowed under RCW 47.56.820.

(2) The state route number 520 corridor consists of that portion of state route number 520 between the junctions of Interstate 5 and state route number 202. The toll imposed by this section shall be charged only for travel on the floating bridge portion of the state route number 520 corridor.

(3)(a) In setting the toll rates for the corridor pursuant to RCW 47.56.850, the tolling authority shall set a variable schedule of toll rates to maintain travel time, speed, and reliability on the corridor and generate the necessary revenue as required under (b) of this subsection.

(b) The tolling authority shall initially set the variable schedule of toll rates, which the tolling authority may adjust at least annually to reflect inflation as measured by the consumer price index or as necessary to meet the redemption of bonds and interest payments on the bonds, to generate revenue sufficient to provide for:

(i) The issuance of general obligation bonds, authorized in RCW 47.10.879, first payable from toll revenue and then excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels pledged for the payment of those bonds in the amount necessary to fund the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, subject to subsection (4) of this section; and

(ii) Costs associated with the project designated in subsection (4) of this section that are eligible under RCW 47.56.820.

(4)(a) The proceeds of the bonds designated in subsection (3)(b)(i) of this section must be used only to fund the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program; however, two hundred million dollars of bond proceeds, in excess of the proceeds necessary to complete the floating bridge segment and necessary landings, must be used only to fund the state route number 520, Interstate 5 to Medina bridge replacement and HOV project segment of the program, as identified in applicable environmental impact statements, and may be used to fund effective connections for high occupancy vehicles and transit for state route number 520, but only to the extent those connections benefit or improve the operation of state route number 520.

(b) The program must include the following elements within the cost constraints identified in section 1, chapter 472, Laws of 2009, consistent with the legislature's intent that cost savings applicable to the program stay within the program and that the bridge open to vehicular traffic in 2014:

(i) A project design, consistent with *RCW 47.01.408, that includes high occupancy vehicle lanes with a minimum carpool occupancy requirement of three-plus persons on state route number 520;

(ii) High occupancy vehicle lane performance standards for the state route number 520 corridor established by the department. The department shall report to the transportation committees of the legislature when average transit speeds in the two lanes that are for high occupancy vehicle travel fall below forty-five miles per hour at least ten percent of the time during peak hours;

(iii) A work group convened by the mayor and city council of the city of Seattle to include sound transit, King county metro, the Seattle department of transportation, the department, the University of Washington, and other persons or organizations as designated by the mayor or city council to study and make recommendations of alternative connections for transit, including bus routes and high capacity transit, to the university link light rail line. The work group must consider such techniques as grade separation, additional stations, and pedestrian lids to effect these connections. The recommendations must be alternatives to the transit connections identified in the supplemental draft environmental impact statement for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program released in January 2010, and must meet the requirements under *RCW 47.01.408, including accommodating effective connections for transit. The recommendations must be within the scope of the supplemental draft environmental impact statement. For the purposes of this section, "effective connections for transit" means a connection that connects transit stops, including high capacity transit stops, that serve the state route number 520/Montlake interchange vicinity to the university link light rail line, with a connection distance of less than one thousand two hundred feet between the stops and the light rail station. The city of Seattle shall submit the recommendations by October 1, 2010, to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature. However, if the city of Seattle does not convene the work group required under this subsection before July 1, 2010, or does not submit recommendations to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature by October 1, 2010, the department must convene the work group required under this subsection and meet all the requirements of this subsection that are described as requirements of the city of Seattle by November 30, 2010;

(iv) A work group convened by the department to include sound transit and King county metro to study and make recommendations regarding options for planning and financing high capacity transit through the state route number 520 corridor. The department shall submit the recommendations by January 1, 2011, to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature;

(v) A plan to address mitigation as a result of the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program at the Washington park arboretum. As part of its process, the department shall consult with the governing board of the Washington park arboretum, the Seattle city council and mayor, and the University of Washington to identify all mitigation required by state and federal law resulting from the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program's impact on the arboretum, and to develop a project mitigation plan to address these impacts. The department shall submit the mitigation plan by December 31, 2010, to the governor and the transportation committees of the legislature. Wetland mitigation required by state and federal law as a result of the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program's impacts on the arboretum must, to the greatest extent practicable, include on-site wetland mitigation at the Washington park arboretum, and must enhance the Washington park arboretum. This subsection (4)(b)(v) does not preclude any other mitigation planned for the Washington park arboretum as a result of the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program;

(vi) A work group convened by the department to include the mayor of the city of Seattle, the Seattle city council, the Seattle department of transportation, and other persons or organizations as designated by the Seattle city council and mayor to study and make recommendations regarding design refinements to the preferred alternative selected by the department in the supplemental draft environmental impact statement process for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program. To accommodate a timely progression of the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, the design refinements recommended by the work group must be consistent with the current environmental documents prepared by the department for the supplemental draft environmental impact statement. The department shall submit the recommendations to the legislature and governor by December 31, 2010, and the recommendations must inform the final environmental impact statement prepared by the department; and

(vii) An account, created in section 5 of this act, into which civil penalties generated from the nonpayment of tolls on the state route number 520 corridor are deposited to be used to fund any project within the program, including mitigation. However, this subsection (4)(b)(vii) is contingent on the enactment by June 30, 2010, of either chapter 249, Laws of 2010 or **chapter . . . (Substitute House Bill No. 2897), Laws of 2010, but if the enacted bill does not designate the department as the toll penalty adjudicating agency, this subsection (4)(b)(vii) is null and void.

(5) The department may carry out the improvements designated in subsection (4) of this section and administer the tolling program on the state route number 520 corridor.

Reviser's note: *(1) 2010 c 248 § 3, which amended RCW 47.01.408, was vetoed by the governor.

**(2) Substitute House Bill No. 2897 did not pass.

Intent—2009 c 472: "It is the intent of the legislature that the state authorize early tolling on the state route number 520 corridor in order to secure the authority to spend federal grant moneys provided to Washington state as part of the urban partnership grant program.

It is further the intent of the legislature to impose tolls on the state route number 520 floating bridge subject to section 2 of this act, to help finance construction of the replacement state route number 520 floating bridge and necessary landings.

It is further the intent of the legislature to expedite the replacement of the floating bridge and necessary landings in a manner that does not preclude local design options on either side of the state route number 520 corridor. For all projects in the state route number 520 corridor program, the legislature intends that the total cost will be no more than four billion six hundred fifty million dollars.

It is further the intent of the legislature that if the tolls on the state route number 520 corridor significantly alter the performance of nearby facilities, the legislature will reconsider the tolling policy for the corridor.

It is further the intent of the legislature that the department of transportation applies for federal stimulus funds for projects in the corridor." [ 2009 c 472 § 1.]

Effective date—2009 c 472: "This act takes effect August 1, 2009." [ 2009 c 472 § 7.]

A special account to be known as the state route number 520 corridor account is created in the state treasury.

(1) Deposits to the account must include:

(a) All proceeds of bonds issued for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, including any capitalized interest;

(b) Except as provided in RCW 47.56.870(4)(b)(vii), all of the tolls and other revenues received from the operation of the state route number 520 corridor as a toll facility, to be deposited at least monthly;

(c) Any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;

(d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program; and

(e) All damages, liquidated or otherwise, collected under any contract involving the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program.

(2) Subject to the covenants made by the state in the bond proceedings authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, toll charges, other revenues, and interest received from the operation of the state route number 520 corridor as a toll facility may be used to:

(a) Pay any required costs allowed under RCW 47.56.820; and

(b) Repay amounts to the motor vehicle fund as required.

(3) When repaying the motor vehicle fund, the state treasurer shall transfer funds from the state route number 520 corridor account to the motor vehicle fund on or before each debt service date for bonds issued for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program in an amount sufficient to repay the motor vehicle fund for amounts transferred from that fund to the highway bond retirement fund to provide for any bond principal and interest due on that date. The state treasurer may establish subaccounts for the purpose of segregating toll charges, bond sale proceeds, and other revenues.

Intent—Effective date—2009 c 472: See notes following RCW 47.56.870.

(1) A special account to be known as the state route number 520 civil penalties account is created in the state treasury. All state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program civil penalties generated from the nonpayment of tolls on the state route number 520 corridor must be deposited into the account, as provided under RCW 47.56.870(4)(b)(vii). Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account must be used to fund legal obligations associated with bonds and loans associated with the construction and operation of state route number 520 under circumstances where the toll revenue collections at the time are not sufficient to fully cover such legal obligations, and then may be used to fund any project within the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, including mitigation. The legislature may direct the state treasurer to make transfers of moneys in the state route number 520 civil penalties account to the state route number 520 corridor account. During the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 fiscal biennia, the legislature may direct the state treasurer to transfer moneys in the state route number 520 civil penalties account to the motor vehicle account [fund].

(2) For purposes of this section, "legal obligations associated with bonds and loans" includes, but is not limited to, debt service and all other activities necessary to comply with financial covenants associated with state route number 520, costs associated with the civil penalties program, and operation and maintenance costs.

Effective date—2023 c 472: See note following RCW 43.19.642.

Effective date—2021 c 333: See note following RCW 43.19.642.

Effective date—2021 c 136: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 26, 2021]." [ 2021 c 136 § 2.]

Effective date—2019 c 416: See note following RCW 43.19.642.

Effective date—2017 c 313: See note following RCW 43.19.642.

Effective date—2015 1st sp.s. c 10: See note following RCW 43.19.642.

Effective date—2013 c 306: See note following RCW 47.64.170.

Effective date—2011 c 367: See note following RCW 47.29.170.

(1)(a) A person involved in the construction of any state route number 167 and Interstate 405 corridor project may apply to the department of revenue for deferral of state and local sales and use taxes owed by that person with respect to the site preparation for, the construction of, the acquisition of any related machinery and equipment that will become a part of, and the rental of equipment for use in, the projects. The deferral is for purchases made and labor or services rendered on or after July 1, 2022.

(b) Deferral applicants must submit their applications for deferral in a form and manner prescribed by the department of revenue. The application must contain information regarding estimated or actual costs, time schedules for completion and operation, and other information required by the department of revenue. The department of revenue shall approve the application within 60 days if it meets the requirements of this section.

(2) The department of revenue shall issue a sales and use tax deferral certificate to qualifying applicants for state and local sales and use taxes imposed or authorized under chapters 82.08, 82.12, and 82.14 RCW and RCW 81.104.170 on the project.

(3) A person granted a tax deferral under this section shall begin paying the deferred taxes in the tenth year after the date the department notifies the department of revenue in writing that all projects qualifying for a deferral under this section are operationally complete. The first payment is due on December 31st of the tenth calendar year after the notification date, with subsequent annual payments due on December 31st of the following nine years. Each payment must equal 10 percent of the deferred tax.

(4) The department of revenue may authorize an accelerated repayment schedule upon request of a person granted a deferral under this section.

(5) Interest and penalties must not be charged on any taxes deferred under this section for the period of deferral, although all other penalties and interest applicable to delinquent excise taxes may be assessed and imposed for delinquent payments under this section. The debt for deferred taxes is not extinguished by insolvency or other failure of any private entity granted a deferral under this section.

(6) Applications and any other information received by the department of revenue under this section are not confidential and are subject to disclosure. Chapter 82.32 RCW applies to the administration of this section.

(7) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Person" has the same meaning as in RCW 82.04.030 and also includes the department.

(b) "Qualifying applicant" means a person whose deferral application under this section was approved by the department of revenue.

(c) "State route number 167 and Interstate 405 corridor project" means any of the following projects:

(i) Interstate 405 and state route number 522 vicinity to state route number 527 express toll lanes improvement project (design completion and construction);

(ii) Interstate 405 Renton to Bellevue widening and express toll lanes project (construction of phase 3);

(iii) Northbound and southbound state route number 167 stage 6 extension project (design and construction);

(iv) Interstate 405 and North 8th Street direct access ramp project (design and construction); and

(v) Northeast 85th Street toll equipment through the Interstate 405 and Northeast 85th Street interchange and inline bus rapid transit station project (toll infrastructure construction).

Automatic expiration date and tax preference performance statement exemption—2022 c 274: "The provisions of RCW 82.32.805 and 82.32.808 do not apply to this act." [ 2022 c 274 § 2.]

Effective date—2022 c 274: "This act takes effect July 1, 2022." [ 2022 c 274 § 3.]

(1) The imposition of tolls for express toll lanes on Interstate 405 between Interstate 5 on the north end in the city of Lynnwood and Interstate 5 on the south end in the city of Tukwila, and for state route number 167 between Interstate 405 on the north end and state route number 512 on the south end is authorized. Interstate 405 and state route number 167 are designated an eligible toll facility, and toll revenue generated in the corridor must only be expended on the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 projects as identified in each corridor's master plan and as allowed under RCW 47.56.820.

(2) Tolls for the express toll lanes must be set as follows:

(a) The schedule of toll rates must be set by the tolling authority pursuant to RCW 47.56.850. Toll rates may vary in amount by time of day, level of traffic congestion within the highway facility, or other criteria, as the tolling authority deems appropriate.

(b) In those locations with two express toll lanes in each direction, the toll rate must be the same in both lanes.

(c) Toll charges may not be assessed on transit buses and vanpools.

(d) The department shall establish performance standards for travel time, speed, and reliability for the express toll lanes project. The department must automatically adjust the toll rate within the schedule established by the tolling authority, using dynamic tolling, to maintain the goal that average vehicle speeds in the lanes remain above forty-five miles per hour at least ninety percent of the time during peak hours.

(e) The tolling authority shall periodically review the toll rates against traffic performance of all lanes to determine if the toll rates are effectively maintaining travel time, speed, and reliability on the highway facilities.

(f)(i) Toll charges may not be assessed on carpools with two or more people in the vehicle on the portion of Interstate 405 between Bellevue and state route number 167 for at least the first year following the initial imposition of tolls on that portion of the express toll lanes, contingent upon the analysis described in (f)(ii) of this subsection.

(ii) The department must analyze the effect of (f)(i) of this subsection utilizing forecasting and modeling data and present the results of the analysis to the tolling authority. If the analysis indicates that the express toll lanes on the portion of Interstate 405 between Bellevue and state route number 167 will not cover the financial obligations outlined in RCW 47.56.884(4), then the restriction on toll charges in (f)(i) of this subsection will not be implemented and the department must provide the transportation committees of the legislature with a report, within thirty days, that provides options for not assessing toll charges on carpools with two or more people in the vehicle, which also meet the financial obligations outlined in RCW 47.56.884(4).

(g) After the bonds issued pursuant to RCW 47.10.896(1)(a) are retired, the tolling authority must reduce the toll rates commensurate with this reduction in the amount of toll revenues required from the express toll lanes.

(3) The department shall work with local jurisdictions to minimize and monitor impacts to local streets and, after consultation with local jurisdictions, recommend mitigation measures to the legislature in those locations where it is appropriate.

(4) The department shall monitor the express toll lanes and shall annually report to the transportation commission and the legislature on the impacts from the project on the following performance measures:

(a) Whether the express toll lanes maintain speeds of forty-five miles per hour at least ninety percent of the time during peak periods, and any alternate metric determined by the department in conjunction with the federal highway administration;

(b) Whether the average traffic speed changed in the general purpose lanes;

(c) Whether transit ridership changed;

(d) Whether the actual use of the express toll lanes is consistent with the projected use;

(e) Whether the express toll lanes generated sufficient revenue to pay for all express toll lane-related operating costs; and

(f) Whether travel times and volumes have increased or decreased on adjacent local streets and state highways.

(5) The department, in consultation with the transportation commission, shall consider making operational changes necessary to fix any unintended consequences of implementing the express toll lanes.

(6) A violation of the lane restrictions applicable to the express toll lanes established under this section is a traffic infraction.

Intent—Effective date—2019 c 421: See notes following RCW 47.10.896.

Intent—2011 c 369: "The legislature recognizes that the Puget Sound region is faced with growing traffic congestion and has limited ability to expand freeway capacity due to financial, environmental, and physical constraints. Freeway high occupancy vehicle lanes have been an effective means of providing transit, vanpools, and carpools with a fast trip on congested freeway corridors, but in many cases, these lanes operate beyond their capacity during peak commute times.

It is the intent of the legislature to improve mobility for people and goods by maximizing the effectiveness of the freeway system. An express toll lanes network is one approach for managing the use of freeway high occupancy vehicle lanes and, at the same time, generating funds to improve the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor. The legislature acknowledges that as one of the most congested freeway sections in the state, the combined Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor serves as an ideal candidate for the use of an express toll lanes network. An express toll lanes network could provide benefits for movement of vehicles and people, as well as having the potential to generate revenue for other improvements in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor, also known as the eastside corridor.

The legislature also recognizes the need for geographic balance and regional equity in decisions regarding tolling and pricing, and intends to consider the implementation of express toll lanes on other facilities in the region in the future. It is further the intent of the legislature to use its evaluation of initial express toll lanes on Interstate 405 to guide additions to the express toll lanes network, particularly in the most congested areas of the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor, such as the Renton-to-Bellevue segment and the Interstate 405/state route number 167 interchange, with the ultimate goal of continuous express toll lanes from Puyallup to Lynnwood.

Therefore, it is the intent of this act to direct the department of transportation to develop and operate express toll lanes on Interstate 405 between the city of Bellevue on the south end and Interstate 5 on the north end and to conduct an evaluation of that project to determine the impacts on the movement of vehicles and people through the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor, effectiveness for transit, carpools and single occupancy vehicles, and feasibility of financing capacity improvements through tolls." [ 2011 c 369 § 1.]

(1) The Interstate 405 and state route number 167 express toll lanes account is created in the motor vehicle fund.

(2) Deposits to the account must include:

(a) All proceeds of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896(1)(a) and loans for the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 projects, including capitalized interest;

(b) All tolls and other revenues received from the operation of the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 express toll lanes facility, to be deposited at least monthly;

(c) Any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;

(d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for completing the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 express toll lanes facility; and

(e) All damages liquidated or otherwise, collected under any contract involving Interstate 405 or state route number 167 projects.

(3) Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation, consistent with RCW 47.56.820.

(4) The proceeds of the general obligation bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896(1)(a) shall be used to make progress toward completion of the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 master plans. It is the intent of the legislature to first use the bond proceeds for the following projects:

(a) Up to six hundred million dollars to design and construct capacity improvements on Interstate 405 between state route number 522 and state route number 527. This project would widen Interstate 405 through the state route number 522 interchange, build direct access ramps to the express toll lanes at state route number 522, build one new lane in each direction to be used as a second express toll lane, and build a partial direct access ramp at state route number 527 to the east, north, and south, to provide connections to the Canyon Park park and ride;

(b) Up to two hundred fifteen million dollars toward completion of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue - Corridor Widening project (M00900R);

(c) Up to three million dollars to update the state route number 167 master plan;

(d) Up to one hundred million dollars to construct both the northbound and southbound state route number 167 stage 6 extension project. This project would extend the express toll lanes south to the state route number 410 and state route number 512 interchange to help mitigate traffic congestion; and

(e) Up to twenty million dollars to design the Interstate 405/North 8th Street Direct Access Ramp project in the city of Renton. It is the intent of the legislature to provide construction funding for this project at a later date.

Intent—Effective date—2019 c 421: See notes following RCW 47.10.896.

Intent—2011 c 369: See note following RCW 47.56.880.

(1)(a) The transportation commission shall retain appropriate independent experts and conduct a traffic and revenue analysis for the development of a forty-mile continuous express toll lane system that includes state route number 167 and Interstate 405. The analysis must include a review of the following variables within the express toll lane system:

(i) Vehicles with two or more occupants are exempt from payment;

(ii) Vehicles with three or more occupants are exempt from payment;

(iii) A variable fee; and

(iv) A flat rate fee.

(b) The department, in consultation with the transportation commission, shall develop a corridor-wide project management plan to develop a strategy for phasing the completion of improvements in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor.

(2) The department, in consultation with the transportation commission, shall use the information from the traffic and revenue analysis and the corridor-wide project management plan to develop a finance plan to fund improvements in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor. The department must include the following elements in the finance plan:

(a) Current state and federal funding contributions for projects in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor;

(b) A potential future state and federal funding contribution to leverage toll revenues;

(c) Financing mechanisms to optimize the revenue available for capacity improvements including, but not limited to, using the full faith and credit of the state;

(d) An express toll lane system operating in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor by 2014; and

(e) Completion of the capacity improvements in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor.

(3) The department and the transportation commission must consult with a committee consisting of local and state elected officials from the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor and representatives from the transit agencies that operate in the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridor while developing the performance standards, traffic and revenue analysis, and finance plan.

(4) The transportation commission must provide the traffic and revenue analysis plan, and the department must provide the finance plan, to the governor and the legislature by January 2012. The department shall provide technical and other support as requested by the transportation commission to complete the plans identified in this subsection. Funds from Interstate 405 capital project appropriations may be used by the transportation commission through an interagency agreement with the department to cover the cost of the plans identified in this subsection.

(5) The department shall conduct ongoing education and outreach to ensure public awareness of the express toll lane system.

Intent—2011 c 369: See note following RCW 47.56.880.

The legislature recognizes the need to reduce congestion and improve mobility on the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridors, and finds that performance on the corridors has not met the goal that average vehicle speeds in the express toll lanes remain above 45 miles per hour at least 90 percent of the time during peak hours. Therefore, the legislature intends that the commission reevaluate options at least every two years to improve performance on the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 corridors, pursuant to RCW 47.56.880 and 47.56.850.

Intent—Effective date—2022 c 182: See notes following RCW 70A.65.240.

For the Columbia river crossing project, the tolling authority may enter into agreements with the Oregon state transportation commission regarding the mutual or joint setting, adjustment, and review of toll rates as the tolling authority may find necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. Any agreement between the tolling authority and the Oregon state transportation commission made pursuant to this section takes effect, and is not binding and enforceable until, thirty days after adjournment of the next ensuing regular legislative session. If the tolling authority has not entered into an agreement with the Oregon state transportation commission by December 31, 2015, this section expires.

Reviser's note: The tolling authority (Washington state transportation commission) entered into an agreement as described in section 4, chapter 36, Laws of 2012 with the Oregon state transportation commission, dated December 19, 2012. This section was previously removed from the code then restored by the office of the code reviser upon receipt of notice pursuant to section 8, chapter 36, Laws of 2012 on December 15, 2016.

Contingent repeal—2023 c 377: "RCW 47.56.892 (Columbia river crossing project—Agreements with the Oregon state transportation commission) and 2012 c 36 s 4 are each repealed." [ 2023 c 377 § 10.]

(1) The Puget Sound Gateway facility is designated an eligible toll facility, tolls are authorized to be imposed on the Puget Sound Gateway facility, and toll revenue generated must be expended only as allowed under RCW 47.56.820.

(2)(a) In setting toll rates for the Puget Sound Gateway facility, pursuant to RCW 47.56.850, the tolling authority shall set a variable schedule of toll rates to maintain travel time, speed, and reliability on the Puget Sound Gateway facility.

(b) The tolling authority may adjust toll rates to reflect inflation as measured by the consumer price index or as necessary for those costs that are eligible under RCW 47.56.820 and to meet the obligations of the tolling authority under RCW 47.56.850.

(c) After the bonds issued pursuant to RCW 47.10.896(1)(b) are retired, the tolling authority must reduce the toll rates commensurate with this reduction in the amount of toll revenues required from the express toll lanes.

(3) For the purposes of this section and RCW 47.56.897, "Puget Sound Gateway facility" means the state route number 167 roadway between north Meridian Avenue in Puyallup and Interstate 5 in Fife, the state route number 509 spur between Interstate 5 in Fife and state route number 509 in Tacoma, and the state route number 509 roadway between south 188th Street and Interstate 5 in SeaTac.

(4) Prior to setting the schedule of toll rates on the portion of state route number 509 between South 188th Street and Interstate 5 in SeaTac, the department, in collaboration with the transportation commission, must analyze and present to the transportation commission at least one schedule of toll rates that exempts, discounts, or provides other toll relief for low-income drivers during all hours of operation on state route number 509 between South 188th Street and Interstate 5 in SeaTac. In analyzing the schedule of toll rates, the department shall consider implementing an exemption, discount, or other toll relief policy for drivers that reside in close proximity to the corridor.

Intent—Effective date—2019 c 421: See notes following RCW 47.10.896.

(1) A special account to be known as the Puget Sound Gateway facility account is created in the motor vehicle fund.

(2) Deposits to the account must include:

(a) All proceeds of bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896(1)(b) and loans for the Puget Sound Gateway project, including capitalized interest;

(b) All tolls and other revenues received from the operation of the Puget Sound Gateway facility, to be deposited at least monthly;

(c) Any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;

(d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for completing the Puget Sound Gateway project, including existing state route number 509 right-of-way in SeaTac and Des Moines; and

(e) All damages liquidated or otherwise, collected under any contract involving the Puget Sound Gateway project.

(3) Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation, consistent with RCW 47.56.820.

(4) The proceeds of the general obligation bonds authorized in RCW 47.10.896(1)(b) shall be used to make progress toward completion of the Puget Sound Gateway facility. It is the intent of the legislature to use the bond proceeds to advance the Puget Sound Gateway facility in order to maximize net mobility benefits for both freight and the traveling public. It is the intent of the legislature for tolling to begin on stage one of the project as soon as practicable in order to leverage toll funds, use bond proceeds to advance one hundred twenty-nine million dollars of connecting Washington state appropriations by two biennia to the 2023-2025 biennium, and advance local and federal contributions. This will allow the department of transportation to deliver and open to the public stage two of the project in fiscal year 2028, three years earlier than originally planned, and to realize twenty million dollars in cost savings in connecting Washington state appropriations.

(5) It is also the intent of the legislature to use the bond proceeds for up to five million dollars to provide noise mitigation on state route number 509 between south 188th Street and Interstate 5.

(6) It is further the intent of the legislature to clarify how the tolling of state route number 167 and state route number 509 will be implemented by requiring the transportation commission and the department of transportation to consider naming the sections of each facility where all of the lanes are tolled as the state route number 167 express way and the state route number 509 express way respectively.

Intent—Effective date—2019 c 421: See notes following RCW 47.10.896.

Any residual balance of funds remaining in the high occupancy toll lanes operations account repealed by section 16, chapter 421, Laws of 2019 on June 30, 2019, and any year-end accruals accounted for after June 30, 2019, from the state route number 167 high occupancy toll lanes pilot project, shall be transferred to the Interstate 405 and state route number 167 express toll lanes account created in RCW 47.56.884.

Intent—Effective date—2019 c 421: See notes following RCW 47.10.896.

(1) For the purposes of this section and RCW 47.56.904 and 47.56.906 and section 8, chapter 377, Laws of 2023, "Interstate 5 bridge replacement project" means the bistate, multimodal corridor improvement program between the state route number 500 interchange in Vancouver, Washington and the Victory Boulevard interchange in Portland, Oregon.

(2) The Interstate 5 bridge replacement project is designated an eligible toll facility. Tolls are authorized to be imposed on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project. Tolls may be charged for travel only on the existing and replacement Interstate 5 Columbia river bridges. Tolls may not be charged for travel on the Washington state portion of Interstate 205. Toll revenue generated on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project must be expended only as allowed under RCW 47.56.820.

Finding—2023 c 377: "The legislature finds that the replacement and improvement of the Interstate 5 Columbia river bridge is critical for the west coast's transportation system and for the safety of Washington and Oregon drivers. The interstate bridge includes two side-by-side structures built in 1917 and 1958. In 2019, approximately 143,000 vehicles traveled across the interstate bridge each weekday. In 2017, about $71,000,000 in freight commodity value crossed the river each day. Collisions on and near the bridge occur at a rate almost twice as high as other similar urban highways, and the aging bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. Replacing these structures and making multimodal improvements to facilitate travel in the bistate corridor is essential for the economy of the region. Although Washington state has pledged $1,000,000,000, and expects an equivalent investment of $1,000,000,000 from Oregon state, to help finance replacement of the bridge, funding from tolls and other sources will be necessary to complete and maintain the project. The legislature finds that Oregon state has already authorized tolls to be imposed on the Oregon portion of the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project, and that providing tolling authorization within Washington state will help make the project better situated to receive funding from other sources, including federal funding. As a result, and to align with the efforts of Oregon state, the legislature intends to provide tolling authorization for the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project." [ 2023 c 377 § 1.]

Contingent effective date—2023 c 377: "Except for sections 4, 6, and 7 of this act, this act takes effect upon, and tolls may not be collected on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project until: (1) Certification of the secretary of transportation to the governor that the department of transportation has received satisfactory evidence that a sufficient federal funding plan is in place and that sufficient state and local funds are available to complete the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project; and (2) the bistate agreement described in section 4 of this act has taken effect." [ 2023 c 377 § 8.]

Notice of certification and bistate agreement—2023 c 377: "The secretary of transportation must provide notice that the governor has received certification as described under section 8(1) of this act to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary. Additionally, the tolling authority, as defined in RCW 47.56.810, must provide written notice that the bistate agreement described under section 4 of this act has taken effect to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the tolling authority." [ 2023 c 377 § 9.]

(1) A special account to be known as the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project account is created in the state treasury.

(2) Deposits to the account must include:

(a) All proceeds of bonds and loans issued on behalf of Washington state for the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project, including any capitalized interest;

(b) All net tolls and other revenues received from the operation of the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project as a toll facility;

(c) The Washington state portion of any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;

(d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, the Washington state portion of proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project; and

(e) The Washington state portion of all damages, liquidated or otherwise, collected under any contract involving the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project.

(3) Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation, consistent with RCW 47.56.820.

Finding—Contingent effective date—2023 c 377: See notes following RCW 47.56.902.

For the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project, the tolling authority may enter into a bistate agreement with the Oregon state transportation commission regarding the mutual or joint setting, adjustment, and review of toll rates and exemptions as the tolling authority may find necessary to carry out the purposes of this section. The toll rates established pursuant to the bistate agreement may not be set at a rate that exceeds the highest toll rate allowed on any of the other toll facilities in Washington, unless the legislature provides direction to do so in duly enacted legislation. The toll rates established pursuant to the bistate agreement may not be set to pay for all of the operational and administrative costs of Oregon's tolling system. The Washington tolling authority must require toll rates that specifically cover the Interstate 5 Columbia river bridge without subsidizing other Oregon toll facilities. Washington residents are already paying for toll system operations of the Washington department of transportation, and therefore the agreement must recognize that it would be unfair for the toll rates on the Interstate 5 Columbia river bridge to pay for administrative and program costs of the Oregon department of transportation that are created with the expectation to benefit multiple tolled facilities in Oregon.

Finding—Notice of certification and bistate agreement—2023 c 377: See notes following RCW 47.56.902.