A New Toll Route for Freight Mobility
Washington State is taking a major step toward easing congestion and improving freight efficiency near its busiest ports. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced the opening of the first mile of the SR 509 Expressway, a four-lane toll road designed to provide truckers with a faster route bypassing the heavily congested Interstate 5 corridor. The project is part of the larger Puget Sound Gateway Project, which will ultimately connect Interstate 5 with the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, as well as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“The SR 509 Expressway is a new road, and tolling is set to begin Sept. 29,” said Christopher Foster, toll division communications manager at WSDOT. Once fully completed, the route will become a vital north-south alternative to I-5 in south King County, improving freight flow in and out of the region’s ports.
Project Scope and Timeline
The current phase introduces a 3-mile stretch of the toll road, with additional segments planned. By 2028, the expressway will extend two more miles, reaching 24th Avenue South in SeaTac. The new roadway is designed to ease traffic bottlenecks that have long hindered cargo movement along SR 509 and I-5, both critical arteries for Washington’s freight operations.
Importantly, all previously existing roads remain toll-free. Only the new expressway portion will carry toll charges.
Tolling Structure
Toll rates vary depending on vehicle size, axle count, and time of day. Using a Good To Go! account saves drivers $2 per trip compared to pay-by-mail options.
- Passenger vehicles: $1.20–$2.40 (Good To Go!); $3 more by mail
- Four-axle trucks: $2.40–$4.80
- Five-axle trucks: $3–$6
- Six-axle trucks: $3.60–$7.20
Lower rates apply during early morning (before 5 a.m.) and evening (after 7 p.m.), while peak charges occur between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Revenue generated from tolling will support ongoing operations and help fund the Puget Sound Gateway Project, which carries a total budget of $2.83 billion. Tolls are projected to contribute about $213.2 million to the project’s funding.
Linking Ports and Improving Freight Flow
The SR 509 Expressway is one half of the Puget Sound Gateway Project, with the companion SR 167 project in Pierce County providing direct freight mobility improvements to the Port of Tacoma. That segment includes a new 6-mile highway linking the port to Puyallup and creating direct access to I-5. Together, the projects aim to streamline freight movement between the Ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and inland markets.
The Port of Tacoma, one of North America’s largest deepwater container ports, handles over 70% of international cargo moving to and from the central and eastern United States, and 80% of marine freight between Alaska and the lower 48 states. By reducing congestion and improving port access, the new toll expressways are expected to strengthen Washington’s role as a national freight hub while supporting regional economic growth.
Source:
https://www.ttnews.com/articles/washington-toll-port-freight
Leave a Comment