AGO Opinion Topics: RESERVING ONE LANE EVERGREEN POINT BRIDGE EXCLUSIVE BUS TRANSIT AND CAR POOL USE

(1) The Washington toll bridge authority resolution authorizing issuance of bonds for the Evergreen Point Toll Bridge does not prohibit the highway commission from reserving a lane of the bridge for exclusive transit use.(2) RCW 47.52.025 authorizing the highway authorities of the state, counties, and cities to regulate, restrict, and prohibit the use of limited access facilities by the various classes of vehicles or traffic empowers the state highway commission to restrict the use of a highway lane across the Evergreen Point Toll Bridge for exclusive transit use.(3) Additional legislation will be required to authorize the highway commission to give preferential use of lanes to cars carrying a specified minimum number of passengers.