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Drivers may soon have to pay to cross the Columbia River on Interstate 5.

The Washington State Senate passed a bill on Tuesday giving the state’s transportation department the authority to create tolls to help pay for the planned Columbia River Crossing project.

Two amendments were approved with the proposal. One would prohibit tolling on Interstate 205 — Washington transportation officials have said they don’t plan to enact tolls on I-205, anyway. The other amendment would put a $3.4 billion spending cap on the entire project, but lawmakers can decide to change that amount in coming years.

The toll authorization bill still needs to clear the House before it can go to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s desk for a signature. It is uncertain when the tolling process would start.

If the bill clears the House, state transportation officials plan to host public forums in Southwest Washington to hear from communities impacted by tolling. They also stated they would discuss the details of how the toll would work, including when tolls would begin, if rates would change based on time of day and whether tolls would increase over time.

Oregon’s transportation officials already have the ability to establish tolls. The Columbia River Crossing plan depends on funds from Oregon, Washington, the federal government and from tolling.