Commission proposes I-405 express toll lane rates

The Washington State Transportation Commission will release details on its toll rate proposal for the Interstate 405 express toll lanes during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Bellevue City Hall. Interested persons will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal at public meetings and electronically over the next few weeks. The express toll lanes will open later this year on the north end of I-405 between Bellevue and Lynwood.

Highlights of the commission’s toll rate proposal for the I-405 express toll lanes include:
• Good To Go! toll rates will range from a minimum of 75 cents to a maximum of $10 – it is estimated that the typical toll will range from 75 cents to $4.
• Carpools with three or more people will be exempt from paying a toll at all times, and carpools with two people will be exempt, except during weekday peak hours (5 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 7 p.m.). Motorcycles, transit vehicles, and vanpools will also be exempt.
• To use the express toll lanes free, drivers must meet the occupancy requirements, have a Good To Go! account and have a Flex Pass, which will be offered by the Washington State Department of Transportation starting in spring 2015.
• Drivers without a Good To Go! account can also use the express toll lanes and will receive a bill in the mail for their trip. Drivers who chose this option will pay $2 above the posted Good To Go! rate in effect at the time of the trip. This additional amount is necessary to cover the cost of collecting Pay By Mail toll bills.

People can comment on the proposal in the following ways:

In Person: The WSTC will host public meetings on the following dates:
• 6:30 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3, Bellevue City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE, Bellevue: The WSTC will review the details of its rate proposal and approve its release to the public. Public comment will be taken at this meeting. There will be an open house at the same location from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. where people can learn more about the I-405 express toll lanes project.
• 6 – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, Online virtual public meeting: A presentation will be made on the rate proposal and project, and then commissioners will answer questions and take comments through a moderated online chat format. Details are provided on the WSTC website on how to participate in this meeting.
• 6:30 – 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Ave., Kirkland: Public comment will be taken on the rate proposal, but no action by the commission is planned. There will be an open house at the same location from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. where people can learn more about the I-405 express toll lanes project.
• 6:30 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, Kirkland City Hall, 123 Fifth Ave., Kirkland: The WSTC will take public comment and will be taking action to adopt the final rates and policies. There will be an open house at the same location from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. where people can learn more about the I-405 express toll lanes project.

Via Email: transc@wstc.wa.gov. Please indicate “405 ETL” in the subject line.

Via Website: Submit comments utilizing the online comment form on the commission’s website, under “contact us”: http://wstc.wa.gov/ContactUs/feedback.htm

Via Online Discussion Forums: People can join the Voice of Washington State (VOWS) input program and post ideas and comments utilizing the commission’s online discussion forums. Persons will be able to see all the comments submitted and can vote on them.

In Writing:
Washington State Transportation Commission
P.O. Box 47308
Olympia, WA 98504-7308

Via Phone: 360-705-7070

I-405 express toll lanes let drivers choose to travel faster by paying a toll to access the HOV lanes. Toll rates will adjust depending on traffic, and drivers will pay the rate they see upon entering the lanes. Tolls can be paid with the current Good To Go! pass or by mail at a higher rate. To use express toll lanes free, carpool drivers will need the new Good To Go! Flex Pass, set to HOV mode.

The WSTC is legally required to set the toll rate range for the I-405 express toll lanes in an amount that is sufficient to pay for maintenance and operation of the lanes. By law, toll revenue can only be used to pay for the cost of the I-405 express toll lanes maintenance and operations, as well as future I-405 corridor improvements. The rate setting process began with recommendations from the I-405/SR 167 Executive Advisory Group in November 2013. Rate setting is also informed by WSDOT analysis and recommendations, as well as public input.