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Washington Statutes, Title 47

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Washington/Statutes

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Title 47, PUBLIC HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION

44 chapters · 1,248 sections in this title.

All chapters in Title 471,248 Ch 47.17, State highway routes.197 Ch 47.60, Puget Sound ferry and toll bridge sy…105 Ch 47.10, Highway construction bonds.104 Ch 47.56, State toll bridges, tunnels, and fer…87 Ch 47.26, Development in urban areas—Urban art…59 Ch 47.01, Department of transportation.54 Ch 47.04, General provisions.54 Ch 47.68, Aeronautics.47 Ch 47.12, Acquisition and disposition of state…42 Ch 47.36, Traffic control devices.36 Ch 47.52, Limited access facilities.36 Ch 47.64, Marine employees—Public employment r…32 Ch 47.42, Highway advertising control act—Scen…29 Ch 47.20, Miscellaneous projects.26

87 sections·Filtered byTitle 47✕Ch 47.56✕

RCW 47.56.010 Definitions.
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As used in this chapter: (1) "1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge" means the bridge crossing the Tacoma Narrows that was opened to vehicle travel in 1950. (2) "Electronic toll collection system" means a system that collects tolls by crediting or debiting funds from a customer's unique pre…
RCW 47.56.030 Powers and duties regarding toll facilities—Purchasing.
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(1) Except as permitted under chapter 47.47 or 47.46 RCW: (a) Unless otherwise delegated, and subject to RCW 47.56.820, the department of transportation shall have full charge of the planning, analysis, and construction of all toll bridges and other toll facilities including the …
RCW 47.56.031 Approval of tolls.
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No tolls may be imposed on new or existing highways or bridges without specific legislative authorization, or upon a majority vote of the people within the boundaries of the unit of government empowered to impose tolls. This section applies to chapter 47.56 RCW and to any tolls a…
RCW 47.56.032 Authority of department and commission relating to state ferries.
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All powers vested in the toll bridge authority as of September 21, 1977, relating to the acquiring, operating, extending, designing, constructing, repairing, and maintenance of the Washington state ferries or any part thereof and the collecting of tolls and charges for use of its…

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RCW 47.56.040 Toll bridges authorized—Investigations.

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The department is empowered, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, to provide for the establishment and construction of toll bridges upon any public highways of this state together with approaches thereto wherever it is considered necessary or advantageous and practi…

RCW 47.56.042 State boundary bridges—Investigations—Agreements with counties or states.

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The department is authorized to enter into agreements with any county of this state and/or with an adjoining state or county thereof for the purpose of implementing an investigation of the feasibility of any toll bridge project for the bridging of a river forming a portion of the…

RCW 47.56.050 Purchase of bridges and ferries authorized—Provisions applicable.

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(1) The department, whenever it is considered necessary or advantageous and practicable, is empowered to provide for the acquisition by purchase of, and to acquire by purchase (a) any bridge or bridges or ferries which connect with or may be connected with the public highways of …

RCW 47.56.060 Toll bridges—General powers of department and officials—Financial statements.

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The department, the officials thereof, and all other state officials are empowered to act and make agreements consistent with law as may be necessary or desirable in connection with the duties and powers conferred upon them respectively by law regarding the construction, maintena…

RCW 47.56.070 Toll facilities authorized—Provisions applicable.

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The department of transportation may, in accordance with this chapter, provide for the construction and operation of toll tunnels, toll roads, and other facilities necessary for their construction and connection with public highways of the state. It may cause surveys to be made t…

RCW 47.56.075 Toll roads, facilities—Legislative authorization or regional or local sponsorship required.

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The department shall approve for construction only such toll roads as the legislature specifically authorizes or such toll facilities as are specifically sponsored by a regional transportation investment district, city, town, or county. [ 2002 c 56 s 404; 1984 c 7 s 252; 1961 c 1…

RCW 47.56.076 Regional transportation investment district—Vehicle tolls authorized.

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(1) Upon approval of a majority of the voters within its boundaries voting on the ballot proposition, a regional transportation investment district may authorize vehicle tolls on a local or regional arterial or a state or federal highway within the boundaries of the district. The…

RCW 47.56.077 Concessions to operate private business on toll road prohibited.

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The department shall not grant concessions for the operation or establishment of any privately owned business upon toll road rights-of-way. [ 1984 c 7 s 253; 1961 c 13 s 47.56.077. Prior: 1953 c 220 s 8.]

RCW 47.56.078 Transportation benefit district—Vehicle tolls authorized.

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(1) Subject to the provisions under chapter 36.73 RCW, a transportation benefit district may authorize vehicle tolls on state routes or federal highways, city streets, or county roads, within the boundaries of the district, unless otherwise prohibited by law. The department of tr…

RCW 47.56.090 Authority to acquire right-of-way in constructing a toll bridge.

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The department of transportation is empowered to secure right-of-way for toll bridges and for approaches thereto by gift or purchase, or by condemnation in the manner provided by law for the taking of private property for public highway purposes. [ 1977 ex.s. c 151 s 69; 1961 c 1…

RCW 47.56.100 Toll bridges—Right-of-way across state highways and political subdivisions—Compensation.

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The right-of-way is hereby given, dedicated, and set apart upon which to locate, construct, and maintain bridges or approaches thereto or other highway crossings, and transportation facilities thereof or thereto, through, over, or across any state highways, and through, over, or …

RCW 47.56.110 Toll bridges—Resolution of necessity in acquiring right-of-way—Effect of.

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Before the department proceeds with any action to secure a right-of-way or with construction of any toll bridge under the provisions of this chapter, the commission shall first pass a resolution that public interest and necessity require the acquisition of right-of-way for and th…

RCW 47.56.120 Toll bridges—Construction directed—Costs.

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In the event that any toll bridge should be constructed, all cost thereof including right-of-way, survey, and engineering shall be paid out of any funds available for payment of the cost of such toll bridge under this chapter. [ 2008 c 122 s 13; 1977 ex.s. c 151 s 70; 1961 c 13 s…

RCW 47.56.130 Toll bridges—Bonds—Cooperative funds from state and federal government.

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The department is hereby empowered to issue bonds for the construction of any toll bridge or toll bridges authorized under the provisions of this chapter. Any and all bonds issued for the construction of any toll bridge or toll bridges under the authority of the department shall …

RCW 47.56.140 Toll bridges, bonds—Form, contents, manner of sale—Interim bonds.

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The revenue bonds may be issued and sold by the department of transportation from time to time and in such amounts as it deems necessary to provide sufficient funds for the construction of the bridge, and to pay interest on outstanding bonds issued for its construction during the…

RCW 47.56.150 Toll bridges—Bond proceeds and toll revenues, disposition of—Construction fund—Disbursement—Investment.

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The proceeds from the sale of all bonds authorized under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid to the state treasurer for the credit of the department and be deposited as demand deposits forthwith in such depositary or depositaries as may be authorized by law to receive de…

RCW 47.56.160 Toll bridges—Toll revenue fund.

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All tolls or other revenues received from the operation of any toll bridge or toll bridges constructed with the proceeds of bonds issued and sold hereunder shall be paid over by the department to the state treasurer. The treasurer shall deposit them forthwith as demand deposits i…

RCW 47.56.165 Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account.

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A special account to be known as the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account is created in the motor vehicle fund in the state treasury. (1) Deposits to the account must include: (a) All proceeds of bonds issued for construction of the Tacoma Narrows public-private initiative project,…

RCW 47.56.167 Toll collection account.

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(1) The toll collection account is created in the custody of the state treasurer for the deposit of prepaid customer tolls and clearing activities benefiting multiple toll facilities. (2) All receipts from prepaid customer tolls must be deposited into the account. Prepaid custome…

RCW 47.56.170 Toll bridges—Transfer of funds for bond payments—Surplus funds.

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From the money deposited in each separate construction fund under RCW 47.56.160, the state treasurer shall transfer to the place or places of payment named in the bonds such sums as may be required to pay the interest as it becomes due on all bonds sold and outstanding for the co…

RCW 47.56.180 Toll bridges—Payments made by warrants on vouchers—Interest on deposits.

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Warrants for payments to be made on account of the bonds shall be duly drawn by the state treasurer on vouchers approved by the department. Moneys required to meet the costs of construction and all expenses and costs incidental to the construction of any particular toll bridge or…

RCW 47.56.190 Toll bridges—Agreement on deposit of funds.

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The department may provide in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of bonds or may otherwise agree with the purchasers of bonds regarding the deposit of all moneys constituting the construction fund and the toll revenue fund and provide for the deposit of the money at such ti…

RCW 47.56.200 Toll bridges—Use of bond proceeds and revenue for expenses.

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Notwithstanding anything contained in this chapter, the proceeds received from the sale of bonds and the tolls or other revenues received from the operation of any toll bridge or toll bridges may be used to defray any expenses incurred by the department in connection with and inc…

RCW 47.56.210 Toll bridges—Remedies of bondholders.

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While any bonds issued by the department under this chapter remain outstanding, the powers, duties, or existence of the department or of any other official or agency of the state shall not be diminished or impaired in any manner that will affect adversely the interests and rights…

RCW 47.56.220 Toll bridges—Limitations on other service—Protection of outstanding bonds.

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Except as otherwise provided in RCW * 47.56.291, ** 47.56.714, and * 47.56.756, as long as any of the bonds issued hereunder for the construction of any toll bridge are outstanding and unpaid, there shall not be erected, constructed, or maintained any other bridge or other crossi…

RCW 47.56.230 Toll bridges—Insurance or indemnity bonds authorized.

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When any toll bridge or bridges authorized under this chapter is being built by the department, the department may carry or cause to be carried an amount of insurance or indemnity bond or bonds as protection against loss or damage as the department may deem proper. The department…

RCW 47.56.240 Toll bridges—Fixing of toll rates authorized—Lien of bonds on revenue.

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Except as otherwise provided in RCW 47.56.850, the commission is hereby empowered to fix the rates of toll and other charges for all toll bridges built under the terms of this chapter. Toll charges so fixed may be changed from time to time as conditions warrant. The commission, i…

RCW 47.56.242 Liquidation and closure of facility accounts upon removal of tolls—Transfer to motor vehicle fund.

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The department is authorized to liquidate and close toll facility trust and other facility accounts established outside the state treasury under chapter 47.56 RCW after the removal of tolls from the facility for which the accounts were established. Any balance remaining in the ac…

RCW 47.56.243 Liquidation and closure of facility accounts upon removal of tolls—Satisfaction of claims.

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After transfer of such moneys pursuant to RCW 47.56.242, all valid claims against such accounts, including proper claims for refunds for unused commute media and other prepaid toll fees, may be satisfied, and any outstanding bonds or any coupons may be redeemed by payment from th…

RCW 47.56.245 Toll charges retained until costs paid.

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The department shall retain toll charges on all existing and future facilities until all costs of investigation, financing, acquisition of property, and construction advanced from the motor vehicle fund, and obligations incurred under RCW 47.56.250 and chapter 16, Laws of 1945 ha…

RCW 47.56.247 Credit permits for vehicular passage.

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The department may issue permits for the passage of vehicles on any or all of its toll bridges, toll tunnels, toll roads, or for the Washington state ferry system on a credit basis upon such terms and conditions as the department deems proper. [ 1984 c 7 s 268; 1961 c 258 s 1.] N…

RCW 47.56.248 Credit permits for vehicular passage—Cash deposit or bond—Revocation of permit.

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The department may require the holder of the permit to furnish to and maintain in force with the department a cash deposit or a corporate surety bond. The department may require the holder of the permit to increase the amount of cash bond, or to furnish an additional surety bond,…

RCW 47.56.250 Contributions by the state or political subdivision—Bonds—Repayment.

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Whenever a proposed toll bridge, toll road, toll tunnel, or any other toll facility of any sort is to be constructed, any city, county, or other political subdivision located in relation to such facility so as to benefit directly or indirectly thereby, may, either jointly or sepa…

RCW 47.56.253 Permits, leases, licenses to governmental entities to use property of toll facility or ferry system.

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If the department deems it in the public interest and not inconsistent with the use and operation of the toll facility involved, the department may on application therefor issue a permit, lease, or license to the state, or to any city, county, port district, or other political su…

RCW 47.56.254 Sale of unneeded property—Authorized—Rules.

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If the secretary of transportation determines that any real property (including lands, improvements thereon, and any interests or estates) originally acquired for toll facility purposes is no longer required for purposes of the department, the department shall offer it for sale a…

RCW 47.56.255 Sale of unneeded property—Certification to governor—Execution, delivery of deed.

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When full payment for real property agreed to be sold as authorized by RCW 47.56.254 has been received, the department may certify this fact to the governor, with a description of the land and terms of the sale, and the governor may execute and the secretary of state shall attest…

RCW 47.56.256 Franchises for utility, railway, urban public transportation purposes.

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If the department deems it not inconsistent with the use and operation of any department facility, the department may grant franchises to persons, associations, private or municipal corporations, the United States government, or any agency thereof, to use any portion of the prope…

RCW 47.56.257 Deposit of moneys received under RCW 47.56.253 through 47.56.256.

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Any moneys received pursuant to the provisions of RCW 47.56.253 through 47.56.256 shall be deposited into the separate and proper trust fund with the state treasurer established for the respective toll facility. [ 1979 ex.s. c 189 s 5; 1961 c 257 s 6.] Notes: Effective date—1979 …

RCW 47.56.258 Notification requirements.

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Actions under this chapter are subject to the notification requirements of RCW 43.17.400. [ 2007 c 62 s 10.] Notes: Finding—Intent—Severability—2007 c 62: See notes following RCW 43.17.400.

RCW 47.56.270 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge part of primary highways.

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The 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge in chapter 47.17 RCW made a part of the primary state highways of the state of Washington shall, upon completion, be operated, maintained, kept up, and repaired by the department in the manner provided in this chapter, and the cost of such operation…

RCW 47.56.271 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge toll-free—Exception.

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Except as otherwise provided in this section, the 1950 Tacoma Narrows bridge hereinbefore by the provisions of RCW 47.17.065 and 47.56.270 made a part of the primary state highways of the state shall be operated and maintained by the department as a toll-free facility at such tim…

RCW 47.56.366 Hood Canal bridge—Public sport fishing—Disclaimer of liability.

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The department may permit public sport fishing from the Hood Canal bridge. The department may adopt rules governing public use of the bridge for sport fishing to the end that such activity shall not interfere with the primary use and operation of the bridge as a highway facility.…

RCW 47.56.401 High occupancy toll lanes defined.

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For the purposes of RCW 46.61.165, * 47.56.403, and * 47.66.090, "high occupancy toll lanes" means one or more lanes of a highway that charges tolls as a means of regulating access to or the use of the facility, to maintain travel speed and reliability. Supporting facilities incl…

RCW 47.56.600 Naches Pass tunnel—Design.

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Upon adoption of the financing plan the commission and the authority, acting jointly, shall forthwith proceed to make the design for the entire project. [ 1961 c 13 s 47.56.600. Prior: 1959 c 292 s 4.] Notes: Reviser's note: Powers, duties, and functions of highway commission and…

RCW 47.56.711 Spokane river bridges.

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The state highway bridge across the Spokane river in the vicinity of Trent Avenue in Spokane shall be known and designated as the James E. Keefe bridge. After September 1, 1990, ownership of the Spokane river toll bridge, known as the Maple Street bridge, shall revert to the city…

RCW 47.56.720 Puget Island-Westport ferry—Payments for operation and maintenance to Wahkiakum county—Toll-free operation and provision of rest room facilities, when.

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(1) The legislature finds that the ferry operated by Wahkiakum county between Puget Island and Westport on the Columbia river provides an important transportation bypass for state route 4 and provides the only crossing of the Columbia river between the Astoria-Megler bridge and t…