(1) For the purposes of this section and RCW 47.56.904 and 47.56.906 and section 8, chapter 377, Laws of 2023, “Interstate 5 bridge replacement project” means the bistate, multimodal corridor improvement program between the state route number 500 interchange in Vancouver, Washington and the Victory Boulevard interchange in Portland, Oregon.

(2) The Interstate 5 bridge replacement project is designated an eligible toll facility. Tolls are authorized to be imposed on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project. Tolls may be charged for travel only on the existing and replacement Interstate 5 Columbia river bridges. Tolls may not be charged for travel on the Washington state portion of Interstate 205. Toll revenue generated on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project must be expended only as allowed under RCW 47.56.820.

Finding—2023 c 377: “The legislature finds that the replacement and improvement of the Interstate 5 Columbia river bridge is critical for the west coast’s transportation system and for the safety of Washington and Oregon drivers. The interstate bridge includes two side-by-side structures built in 1917 and 1958. In 2019, approximately 143,000 vehicles traveled across the interstate bridge each weekday. In 2017, about $71,000,000 in freight commodity value crossed the river each day. Collisions on and near the bridge occur at a rate almost twice as high as other similar urban highways, and the aging bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. Replacing these structures and making multimodal improvements to facilitate travel in the bistate corridor is essential for the economy of the region. Although Washington state has pledged $1,000,000,000, and expects an equivalent investment of $1,000,000,000 from Oregon state, to help finance replacement of the bridge, funding from tolls and other sources will be necessary to complete and maintain the project. The legislature finds that Oregon state has already authorized tolls to be imposed on the Oregon portion of the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project, and that providing tolling authorization within Washington state will help make the project better situated to receive funding from other sources, including federal funding. As a result, and to align with the efforts of Oregon state, the legislature intends to provide tolling authorization for the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project.” [ 2023 c 377 § 1.]

Contingent effective date—2023 c 377: “Except for sections 4, 6, and 7 of this act, this act takes effect upon, and tolls may not be collected on the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project until: (1) Certification of the secretary of transportation to the governor that the department of transportation has received satisfactory evidence that a sufficient federal funding plan is in place and that sufficient state and local funds are available to complete the Interstate 5 bridge replacement project; and (2) the bistate agreement described in section 4 of this act has taken effect.” [ 2023 c 377 § 8.]

Notice of certification and bistate agreement—2023 c 377: “The secretary of transportation must provide notice that the governor has received certification as described under section 8(1) of this act to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary. Additionally, the tolling authority, as defined in RCW 47.56.810, must provide written notice that the bistate agreement described under section 4 of this act has taken effect to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the tolling authority.” [ 2023 c 377 § 9.]