I-90 Toll Scoping Meeting is Critically Important

The public meeting on Oct 21 at the Mercer Island High School will make or break our effort to stop tolling on I-90. A strong turnout  is needed to keep our efforts on track.

The Legislature (ESSB 5024) has required an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) to be performed on the regional impacts of all planned tolling. The EIS provides the information to the State Legislature to vote on Tolling I-90 and to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to decide if they can allow tolling. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must first determine the scope of the EIS. The scope of the EIS defines the limit of the study and the final report.  The meeting on Oct 21 is your chance to help WSDOT define the scope of the EIS.

Defining the proper scope of the EIS is critical. If the scope is too narrow, as it is right now, then the study will not be accurate.  For instance, WSDOT is proposing that they study just I-90. If the scope is limited to I-90, then the study will show a reduction in congestion on I-90, and will not show the increased congestion in the entire system. Also, the list of funding alternatives is relatively small and easily dismissed. For instance, alternatives such as hot lane tolling on I-90 will be dismissed because it will not raise enough money to fund 520. By examining limited alternatives, WSDOT will prove that tolling I-90 is the only viable method to fund 520.

We need to make sure that WSDOT studies tolling’s environmental impact on the regional transportation system, and that they study all of the funding alternatives. WSDOT will claim that they do not have to study the entire system because they will just use the Puget Sound Regional Council (PRSC) study on regional impacts. However, there is no apparent plan to combine the studies an dividing the studies, WSDOT will be able to use the I-90 only study to prove tolling will reduce congestion.

In relation to funding alternatives, it appears that WSDOT has screened out many ideas they do not like. One screened idea was scaling back on the exorbitant $2B West approach to the 520 bridge (eliminate parks and other amenities not necessary for transportation). Other ideas not on WSDOT's list include delaying construction of the West approach to the bridge, do a sectional toll, or reduce the 520 toll to relieve congestion on I-90. Another idea not included would be to delay Eastlink and use the money to finance 520. I’m sure you have other thoughts, and this is your opportunity to get your ideas into the public record. We need to ensure all ideas are included so WSDOT will be obligated to study and include them in their findings.

The City of Mercer has addressed these issues, but our efforts are apparently being ignored. In a letter dated August 22, 2013 to WSDOT Secretary Peterson, the city's legal representative wrote:

     "The City is also concerned that WSDOT may be making preliminary decisions about the scoping process that are inconsistent with ESSB 5024 and will result in a more limited NEPA process than the Legislature intended."

You can find the entire letter at: http://www.mercergov.org/files/I-90%20EIS%20Letter.PDF

For more information on the meeting and what WSDOT is proposing, or to comment on-line or via email, go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/CrossLakeWATolling/default.htm

WHEN: Monday, October 21st

WHERE: Mercer Island High School

TIME: 4:30 - 8:30pm

Thank you and I hope to see you there.