Glitch identified in billing system for 520 tolls

Glitch identified in billing system for 520 tolls

WSDOT is looking into a weather related glitch with the SR 520 pass reader. Turns out the glitch may have resulted in some incorrect charges on "Good To Go" pass accounts.

During last week's snowstorm, engineers came across the glitch when the equipment's internal clock was intermittently losing time and re-syncing to the correct time.

It's been fixed now but - "People with a "Good To Go" pass, their pass may not have been read and they may be getting a 25-cent pay by plate charge incorrectly," said Pete Briglia, 520 Operations manager.

Briglia says the glitch occurred between January 17th and January 25th. He says "Good To Go" accounts will either be credited back or not charged that 25-cent fee at all.

If you pay full price by mail, you're not affected.

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Tonight: Seattle Channel tackles the future of tolling

Tolling on the 520 Bridge started a month ago, so what's changed?

It's the question being asked during tonight's 'City Inside/Out with Brian Callanan.' on the Seattle Channel.

The focus of the show is to look at driver behavior, traffic pattern changes, lessons learned from 520, and discuss the future of tolling throughout the state.

Guests for the show include:

  • Craig Stone, Tolls Director for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
     
  • Mark Hallenbeck, Director of the Washington State Transportation Center
     
  • Richard Ford, Chairman of the Washington State Transportation Commission
     
  • Doug MacDonald, former State Transportation Secretary (2001-2007)

You can catch the show on Cable channel 21 at 7:00p.m.

PSE promises $50 credit for dozens of customers

PSE promises $50 credit for dozens of customers

If you were one of the thousands without power for nearly a week, you could get a break on next month's bill.

Puget Sound Energy says it plans to give a $50 credit to customers who lost power for five or more days during last week's winter storm.

"The prolonged power outages from the storms created a real hardship for many of our customers," said Sue McLain, PSE senior vice president of Delivery Operations. "The bill credit won't take back the dark evenings and chill in the bones that many families experienced. Rather, it is a gesture of our appreciation for their understanding and patience."

According to PSE, this is the first time, since passing the 120-consecutive-hour power outage credit in 2008, the utility has had to activate it.

PSE says the credit will automatically be provided to all customers without power for five days or longer.

The credit should show up on your Feb. 15th bill.

If it doesn't - you should notify PSE at: 888-225-5773.

Residents urged to report storm damage to county

Residents urged to report storm damage to county

The winter storm is over, it's time to assess the damage and King County wants to help.

If you are a resident or business owner who suffered property damage you may be eligible to get it fixed courtesy the county.

Below is how the program works, who is eligible, and how to make a claim from emergency managers:

In order to compute the losses, individuals and businesses are encouraged to submit reports to the King County Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

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Customers can chime in on proposed PSE rate increases

Customers can chime in on proposed PSE rate increases

Puget Sound Energy customers don't miss your chance to comment on proposed rate increases to your power and natural gas bills.

PSE is asking for $160 million a year in new electricity revenues and $33 million a year in natural gas revenues.

If approved, customers would see their power bills go up by $8.37 a month and natural gas bills by about $2.84 a month.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) will make a final decision on the rate request by spring.

So far, the commission has received 340 customer comments on PSE's proposal.

Here's a breakdown of those comments:

  • 311 opposed
  • 2 in favor
  • 27 undecided

Customers can comment via email here or by mail: UTC, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, Wash. 98504.

UTC is also holding two public meetings next month:

City council meeting tonight

The city council will be meeting tonight to discuss WSDOT shoreline permits for the SR 520 bridge replacement and maintenance facility.

Tonight’s meeting was originally scheduled for Jan. 18, due to weather conditions.

The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Medina City Hall.

Non-Bellevue water customers to pay “fireflow” costs

Non-Bellevue water customers to pay “fireflow” costs

In a report from the city, on Monday the Bellevue City Council approved extending the utility occupation tax to the water utility’s gross receipts, including those received from customers living outside of Bellevue. The money will pay for “fireflow capacity” – including the cost of fire hydrants, oversized pipe and reservoir storage – for non-Bellevue customers.

Water customers in Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point, and small portions of Issaquah, Kirkland, and King County will see the utility occupation tax of 10.4 percent on their utility bill beginning March 1.