Revising the Toll Setting Process

The Washington State Legislature passed a law directing the Transportation Commission to create a revised process for setting toll rates and policies that is more efficient and transparent than the current process. This direction was based on recommendations that emerged from an assessment of the current toll rate setting process, which takes at least three months to complete but on average extends to five months.

Why Is the Process Changing?

The new approach to toll setting emphasizes public engagement, reduces the time between administrative steps, and allows the Commission to respond more quickly to financial needs.

Key benefits include:

  • Reduced administrative costs
  • Earlier public input, when it can have the greatest impact
  • Greater transparency around proposed changes
  • More efficient decision-making

How Will the New Process Be Different From the Old?

The new toll setting process supports early public involvement that will have impact and inform responsive Commission decision-making.

Proposed New Process:

Diagram showing the proposed new process for setting toll rates. Key features include issuance of a written public notice, carrying out a public outreach process, and notification of the new toll rates and posting them on the WSTC website after they have been adopted by the Commission.

The toll rate setting process of the past was dominated by long, mandatory waiting periods between multiple steps, reducing responsiveness and limiting the opportunity for gathering impactful public input. There was little flexibility for the Commission to revise a proposal, and if any substantive changes were made, the whole process would need to re-start.

Old Process for Setting Toll Rates

Diagram showing the old process for setting toll rates. Key features include conducting public engagement, issuing a statement of inquiry, selecting a toll rate proposal, gathering public comments and holding a public hearing.

What Are the Next Steps?

  • February 18: Commission will release its proposed changes to the toll setting process.
  • March 24: Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed new toll setting process. Details will be posted here closer to that date.
  • May 1: The new toll setting process will go into effect.

How Can I Provide Comments?

You can send us your thoughts, ideas, and comments on these changes using the options below through March 23: