Puget Sound Gateway Program (WA-167 and WA-509 Extensions)

[pderocco]

I don't get what the tunnel is about. It's not big enough to carry a freeway, and right next to it is an underpass that might actually be big enough. Could the tunnel have been intended for a pair of train tracks?

[jakeroot]

I don't get what the tunnel is about. It's not big enough to carry a freeway, and right next to it is an underpass that might actually be big enough. Could the tunnel have been intended for a pair of train tracks?

As Arthur indicated in his post, the tunnel is intended to be used by an on-ramp (probably single lane) from the Seatac Airport Southern Access Freeway. However, at least as far as I know, that project remains unfunded.

It's worth mentioning the tunnel was built a number of years ago, back when 24th/28th was originally built and the overpass was put in (around 2017).

[Bruce]

The bike/walk trail that will follow SR 167 from the Port of Tacoma to Puyallup has been named the spuyaləpabš Trail by WSDOT and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.

[jakeroot]

I like the name, and the confidence WSDOT and the Puyallup Indians have when it comes to it...but I'm not sure the name will catch on. Not its correct pronunciation, anyhow.

[pderocco]

Sounds equally good backwards.

[ErmineNotyours]

Look what I found by the side of the road in Renton, some distance away from the actual project.  (I tried finding the plans online instead, but I don't have the magic touch that the rest of you have.)

[Bruce]

Drove by a bit of the tideflats east of Tacoma yesterday and noticed quite a bit of grading and bridgework on the new expressway there. Just a heads up for those who want to check it out (though I didn't have time to hunt for photo spots).

[Bruce]

SeaTac section of the SR 509 project is progressing:

https://x.com/wsdot_traffic/status/1821956388098318828

[jakeroot]

Overhead photo of the WA-167 project in Fife, courtesy of my father, taken within the last 48 hours:


WA-167 / WA-509 Spur Construction by Jacob Root, on Flickr

[Bruce]

WSTC has some proposed toll rates: https://wstc.wa.gov/online-open-houses/puget-sound-gateway-toll-rate-setting/sr-509-and-sr-167-expressways/

SR 509 would range from $1.20 to $2.40 depending on hour of travel, with most of the day set at $1.80.

SR 167 would be $1 all day everyday west of I-5 in Fife and $1.20 to $3.00 east of I-5 from Fife to Puyallup. Rate would be $2.10 for most of the day.

Both rates would be higher for larger vehicles and increase by 2.15% annually. WSTC is also considering one of two options for low-income households: a 50% discount on SR 509 tolls or a systemwide discount program (the latter would be very nice to have).

[Plutonic Panda]

So the tolls would be set strictly by the hour? That's a little odd. It seems like dynamic pricing would work better to go up and down based on the current traffic loads.

[jakeroot]

So the tolls would be set strictly by the hour? That's a little odd. It seems like dynamic pricing would work better to go up and down based on the current traffic loads.

The only real incentive for that style of pricing scheme is when the lane has to maintain a certain average speed. The express toll lanes on 167 and 405 being the best example. Dynamic pricing for all lanes along a particular stretch (perhaps like I-66 in DC) isn't done in Washington State, to my knowledge.

They are basically operating it the same as the 520 Bridge, with "preset" dynamic pricing. However, unlike the 520, I see no mention of holiday or weekend pricing. There is no reason to charge rush hour rates on weekends. I'd just do a flat $2 or $3 charge from 08:00 to 20:00 on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

I think preset pricing is more diplomatic, too. Knowing the price before you head out the door does make tolling a bit more socially acceptable.

One possible downside (and this might already be an issue with the 520): if people know the toll rate will increase at a certain hour, might they drive unacceptably fast in order to pass through the toll gantry prior to the increased rate taking effect?

Regarding the rates, they seem extremely reasonable. Obviously, they will slowly increase over the years, and the rates are relatively expensive without Good to Go, but they are at least comparable, if not cheaper, than the expressway toll rates I see here in Japan. Although our tolled expressways don't have traffic lights to get from one to another ...