Moving more people; delivering more options
Our goal at WSDOT is to move more people in the safest, most efficient way possible. We also want to give commuters more options to get where they need to go.
To move more people and increase transit reliability on I-405 north of SR 520, WSDOT traffic engineers are investigating two options to improve traffic flow and give commuters more choices. One option engineers are looking at is to maintain the current high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and build new general purpose lanes. A second option would be to build two new lanes and make them express toll lanes. Express toll lanes have been used in other states and are a safe and proven method to move more people in a very efficient manner. WSDOT is completing an environmental assessment to analyze these improvement options between SR 520 in Bellevue and I-5 in Lynnwood.
What are express toll lanes?
Express toll lanes preserve trip reliability for transit users, while providing a new option to other motorists who choose to pay a toll when lane capacity is available. We are exploring building and operating two I-405 express toll lanes in each direction between SR 520 in Bellevue and SR 522 in Bothell, and one express toll lane in each direction between SR 522 and I-5 in Lynnwood. Express toll lanes on I-405 would be similar to the high-occupancy toll lanes or HOT lanes on SR 167 as part of the SR 167 HOT lanes pilot project.
Why are we looking at express toll lanes on I-405?
HOV lanes lose their efficiency if they are too congested. Likewise, HOV lanes with low volumes are not being used as efficiently as possible. To make sure we can move more people as efficiently as possible, WSDOT is considering express toll lanes on I-405.
Traffic data shows the I-405 HOV lanes between SR 520 and I-5 are under utilized mid-day, but congested during peak periods. One option to improve HOV traffic flow is to increase the HOV requirement from 2+ occupants to 3+; this would reduce the number of vehicles entering the system. This is one of the options environmental staff and traffic engineers are evaluating in the environmental assessment.
Another option is to convert HOV lanes to express toll lanes. Express toll lanes would be toll-free to transit. Other toll-free HOV passenger requirements are currently under evaluation. On the SR 167 HOT lanes pilot project, for example, two-person carpools
will be toll-free when the project opens.
Managing traffic flow with express toll lanes would improve the overall efficiency across all lanes, and increase the number of vehicles and people moving through the system at all times. Adding the second express lane from SR 520 to SR 522 would add additional capacity, increasing the overall system wide benefit - smoothing out the flow for all drivers.
Converting HOV lanes to express toll lanes has been successful in other U.S. cities.
What are the key features of express toll lanes?
- Tolls would rise and fall to manage the number of vehicles entering the express lanes, ensuring transit receives a reliable trip.
- Tolls charged would be deducted electronically from drivers' accounts at normal highway speeds; there will be no toll booths.
- Access to express lanes would be limited to specific entry and exit points.
- Toll-paying drivers would only have access to express lanes when there is available capacity.
- General-purpose lanes would remain toll-free to all drivers.
What are the benefits of express toll lanes?
- Improved trip reliability for transit;
- Options to drivers who are willing to pay for a faster trip;
- Managed traffic by moving vehicles and people out of general-purpose lanes to increase the overall flow of traffic;
- Easy access to drivers;
- Fairness; research shows that express toll lanes are used by drivers at all income levels who are looking for a more reliable trip.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT is completing an environmental assessment of proposed express toll lanes and other proposed improvements between SR 520 in Bellevue and I-5 in Lynnwood. Our environmental staff and traffic engineers will identify any potential effects an express toll lane system may have on the environment, including affects on air quality, traffic noise, wetlands or streams in the area and environmental justice. Environmental justice takes into account the fairness of express toll lanes on low-income populations. The environmental assessment will also propose plans to reduce or eliminate any negative effects. Please visit WSDOT's Environmental Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
In a proposed express toll lane system, WSDOT would separate express lanes from general-purpose lanes with a double-striped white line. Access to express lanes would be limited to specific points making it illegal for drivers to weave in and out of the toll lanes as many drivers do in HOV lanes today. Crossing the double line would be a moving violation and would be enforced by Washington State Patrol.
Public Involvement
Your views are important to us. In addition to working closely with neighborhood organizations and other local groups, WSDOT offers many opportunities for public information and discussion. Please send the team an e-mail if you would like to be added to the I-405 e-mail list. You will be kept up-to-date by e-mail on the project’s status and on additional opportunities for participation. You can also contact the I-405 office directly to request a project presentation for your local group.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Colleen Gants
I-405 Project Team Office
600 - 108th Avenue NE, Suite 405
Bellevue, WA 98004
425-456-8500
colleen.gants@I405.wsdot.wa.gov