The huge £4.29bn bridge with five lanes hikes tolls - despite 20,000 drivers protesting

Locals have been left furious as tolls to cross a £4million bridge are hiked, leading to a protest from 20,000 drivers.

The toll hikes have been brought in for those crossing the State Route 520 floating bridge that connects Seattle with the east side of Lake Washington.

The Washington State Transportation Commission improved the toll increase unanimously, meaning weekday rates will rise from $4.50 (£3.40) to $4.90 (£3.71).

Other midday rates will rise to $3.95 (£2.99) on weekdays - up from current prices of $3.25 (£2.46) or $3.80 (£2.87). Weekend rates will range from $1.35 (£1.02) to $2.95 (£2.23).

Tolls will increase by an average of 10 percent over the entire week, according or reports.

The hikes have been approved after Washington State's treasurer's office projected that the previous prices would not make enough money to fund the expenses of the bridge.

The tolls are expected to meet $1.2billion (£900million) of the $5.7billion (£4.3billion) cost of upgrading and maintaining the bridge.

On top of this, the insurance costs for the bridge are likely to exceed $80million (£60million).

Debbie Young, chair of the commission, said: "For the facility to still function, we do need to pay its bills. And we are legally required to do that.

"We need to raise the toll rates to raise that money. We regret that it causes misfortune for a number of our road users."

An online petition calling for public feedback on the told has gathered 20,000 negative responses.

She added: "It feels like it's a rich man's highway...You have nothing, nothing in place for low-income people."