The Eastside Corridor connects I-405 and SR 167 to form a 50 mile bypass to I-5.
This vizualization shows a two-lane express toll lane concept on I-405. |
November 2009
- Thank you: We would like to thank everyone who attended our open houses earlier this month. Whether it was Kent or Kirkland, we really appreciate it. If you were unable to attend, please check out our open house materials.
- Share your thoughts: Contact Us to provide feedback on the Eastside Corridor Tolling Study.
- Do you have a question? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions Web site.
- The next Executive Advisory Group meeting is on Thursday, December 10 at Kent Commons. Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide brief comments to the group.
Overview
The Eastside Corridor is the only north-south freeway alternative to I-5 in the Puget Sound region. It is made up of sections of Snohomish, King and Pierce counties, stretching down I-405 and SR 167 to SR 512. The Eastside Corridor Tolling Study project limits encompass only the I-405 and SR 167 corridors.
WSDOT has looked at a range of options to address the projected increase in population and employment along this corridor. Successful examples are the I-405 Corridor Master Plan (2002) and the SR 167 Valley Freeway Plan (2009). Both plans acknowledge the importance of connecting I-405 and SR 167 to form a seamless corridor. The Eastside Corridor vision includes new highway lanes, improved interchanges, express toll lanes, expanded transit service including bus rapid transit (BRT) and expanded vanpool programs. Other features, such as the SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project and SR 167 extension in Pierce County, will connect the entire corridor with a system better equipped to manage traffic demands in the future. Express toll lanes, mentioned above, are one of the options under consideration to address growing congestion and funding future improvements.
What are express toll lanes?
Express toll lanes are free HOV lanes (for carpools, vanpools and buses) that are also open to solo drivers who choose to pay a toll. Toll rates adjust electronically to ensure that traffic in the express toll lane is free flowing (at least 45 miles per hour 90 percent of the time) even when the regular lanes are congested. Express toll lanes provide toll-free express trips for buses, vanpools and carpools, and also give solo drivers the option to pay for a faster, more reliable trip when they need it most.
Why are express toll lanes being considered?
Commuters on I-405 experience heavy traffic over a 6-8 hour period each day. Addressing this congestion is a top priority in the state’s 10 year transportation plan, Moving Washington. Express toll lanes would maximize highway efficiency while raising revenue for future improvements. Traffic analysis suggest express toll lanes on I-405 could out perform new general purpose lanes by 60%, providing a reliable and sustainable trip of 45 mph or higher through year 2030.
Tolling is a possible next step to implementing the I-405 Corridor Master Plan and connecting I-405 to the SR 167 HOT lanes - thereby creating a north-south Eastside Corridor Express Toll Lane System and a bypass to I-5.
In 2009, the Washington State Legislature directed WSDOT to prepare a traffic and revenue study for Eastside Corridor tolling and to seek input from the public by January 2010.
What are the benefits of express toll lanes?
An Eastside Corridor Express Toll Lane System strategically adds north-south capacity for the region. These investments could provide the following unique benefits:
Higher Performance. Variable tolling effectively manages volume and significantly increases performance for all users, providing a reliable free-flowing commute, as well as improved performance for general purpose lanes.
Regional transit mobility. Express toll lanes provide the infrastructure to enhance existing transit service and implement a bus rapid transit system, which was endorsed during the I-405 corridor master planning process.
Provides financing. Express toll lanes generate tolling revenue that can help contribute to funding future improvements.
How do express toll lanes perform?
Looking to year 2014, if we were to add general purpose lanes on I-405, we could move 10% more cars at 45 mph (or better) than we do today. If we add that capacity as express toll lanes, we can move 70% more cars at 45 mph (or better) through I-405 than we do today.
We analyzed how traffic would flow if we were to add either a general purpose lane or an express toll lane on I-405. Under both scenarios, we would be adding a new lane. While looking at the peak hour traffic projections for the year 2014, we found out that an express toll lane option performs much better than a general purpose lane option. Looking at all lanes of the freeway, the express toll lane option moved 70% more vehicles at 45 MPH (or better) when compared to no improvements. The general purpose lane option resulted in a 10% more vehicles moved at 45 MPH (or better). Because we are able to keep the express toll lanes moving, the entire freeway section performs better than the general purpose lane option.
What are your thoughts?
Your views are important to us. Please share your thoughts with us regarding tolling on the Eastside Corridor by emailing our team at by using our ectollingstudy@wsdot.wa.gov
Public Information Contact:
Colleen Gants
Eastside Corridor Program
600 - 108th Avenue NE
Suite 405
Bellevue, WA 98004
425-456-8555
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