The results of the city's study on tolling downtown is expected later this year. But it's not exactly a popular idea.



"It seems a bit ludicrous to me," commuter Tim Feth said. "It's already so miserable driving downtown, it doesn't make sense to me to charge people for the pleasure of driving downtown."



Said Sharma: "For me, if you're going to do that, then I'm totally switching to public transport."



As mandated by the legislature, the tunnel's tolls have to cover $200 million in construction costs, $129 million dollars in interest, $170 million in routine tunnel maintenance costs, and $496 million for collecting tolls, including everything from customer service to equipment. It adds up to nearly a billion dollars over 27 years.



Of course, some people have chosen to leave their cars and the tolls behind and pay in other ways.



"Now I prefer to walk on the ferry, and pay for a taxi or an Uber, just to not have to deal with the downtown traffic," commuter Lisa Woods said. "It's gridlock."



The Transportation Commission wants more public input on its choice before officially taking action and adopting those tolling rates in the fall. Drivers will be able to use the tunnel for free during the first few months after it opens.