SEATTLE, Wash. (Nov. 9, 2004) — A draft study by the Washington State Transportation Department suggests a 100-mile truck toll road between I-90 and Chehalis might be practical. A toll road along the base of the Cascade mountains would be financed by and reserved for truckers, the report suggested.

According to an Associated Press yesterday, a private entity would build the route and collect tolls. The public might have to help buy rights of way. If just half of the 22,000 trucks that roll down I-5 south from Seattle each day used the toll route — at 60 cents per mile, or $60 for a one-way run — its $5 billion cost could be justified, the study suggests.

The proposed corridor would be three lanes wide – one in each direction and some type of passing lane – and for long-haul freight only. Only a limited number of exits would be built.

“Based on existing and projected volumes, there is some potential there,” said Barbara Ivanov, director of freight strategy and policy for the state Department of Transportation.

However, she said the department does not know if the trucking companies and manufacturers would be willing to pay the rates involved.