Date:
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Contact:
Joshua Cheatham, Project Engineer, 253.872.2958 (Kent)
Victoria Tobin, WSDOT Communications, 206.464.1184 (Seattle)
Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, 206.440.4702 (Seattle)
WSP Sgt. Freddy Williams, 360.570.3108 (Olympia)
KENT – HOT lanes are taking shape on SR 167, and commuters will soon notice new road markings that come with new rules of the road. Crews begin applying the solid double white stripes separating HOT lanes from the general purpose lanes on April 12.
Washington State Patrol troopers warn drivers that crossing the double solid lines could mean a citation and a fine as soon as the new HOT (high occupancy toll) lane striping appears along nine miles of State Route 167 between Auburn and Renton. Painting the stripes is weather dependent, so wet weather could delay the work.
Crews will grind down striping in several areas to create a single dashed line indicating access zones where drivers can exit or enter the HOT lane. Drivers of all vehicles, including buses, vanpools, carpools and motorcycles, may exit and enter only in these quarter-mile-long zones. Once inside the HOT lane, motorists should watch for signs directing them to the access zones preceding their exit ramp to ensure they don’t miss their exit. (Copy of signs and access map attached to release).
The access zones also are where solo drivers may enter the HOT lanes and pay an electronic toll without ever stopping. To use the HOT lane, solo drivers must first open up a Good To Go! account and install a transponder on their windshield.
“Drivers will no longer be free to weave in and out of the HOV lanes like some are accustomed to,” said Washington State Patrol Capt. Steve Burns. “Limited access zones are essential to the operation and safety of HOT lanes. For this pilot project, troopers will strictly enforce this statewide law .”
The double-white stripes are necessary for troopers to effectively enforce the new tolling system, said Craig Stone, WSDOT’s Urban Corridors Administrator. As solo drivers enter the HOT lane, they will pass under a transponder-reading antenna. When a transponder is detected, a light on the antenna will flash. If the light doesn’t flash, the trooper will know the vehicle has no transponder and will stop and cite the driver for entering the HOT lane illegally. The citation carries a fine of $124 or more.
Carpools of two or more, vanpools, buses and motorcycles can drive in the HOT lanes toll free, and do not need to carry a transponder.
“The HOT lane works like a flow valve allowing just enough additional traffic in to make the best use of the lane while reducing the flow of extra traffic when lane speed begins to drop,” Stone said. “Allowing traffic to enter and exit at any point along the system would defeat the purpose of HOT lanes.”
Research from other states that already have HOT lanes indicates that having limited access points not only aids in enforcement but also reduces collisions. Since vehicles enter and access the lanes in specific zones, HOT lane traffic can flow more freely between zones and prepare for incoming traffic as access points approach.
HOT lanes will open to toll-paying solo drivers on April 26. But the “no double-crossing” rule will be enforced as soon as the double-white stripes appear on SR 167 next week.
“We want to make sure all drivers are aware of the new rules of the road for this HOT lanes striping,” said Burns, “Troopers will be out in force, especially in the first few months of the project, to enforce the law.”
As the HOT lanes opening nears, drivers can expect overnight lane and ramp closures to allow crews to complete the striping and other necessary work. Visit WSDOT's Construction Update Report at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction for closure details.
Good To Go! will be setting up shop along the SR 167 corridor to provide local customer service for people interested in using HOT lanes. SR 167 drivers can get information, open an account and leave with an electronic tolling transponder or a transponder shield, which is necessary to deactivate the transponder when driving HOT lanes with a passenger.
The mobile Good To Go! office is scheduled to appear:
• 1-6 p.m., Thursday, April 10, at the entrance of the Auburn Wal-Mart near the SuperMall, 1425 SuperMall Way.
• Noon-5 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at the entrance of the Regional Justice Center in Kent, 401 Fourth Ave. N.
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