(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.