Drivers ease into the I-405 express toll lanes

Travel times on Interstate 405 ran around average Monday morning as eastside drivers worked to adjust to the new express toll lanes.

In the early morning commute, a collision in the regular lanes on southbound I-405 south of State Route 522 resulted in delays for drivers coming from Snohomish County.

Estimated travel times along the I-405 corridor, from vehicles traveling the corridor, were 49 minutes at 7 a.m. and 43 minutes at 8:20 a.m. in the regular lanes between Lynnwood and Bellevue.
Meanwhile, traffic in the express toll lanes continued to move the speed limit, saving drivers nearly 30 minutes compared to the general purpose lanes for an average $1.50 toll.

WSDOT Assistant Secretary Craig Stone watched closely as the first workday morning commute I-405 express toll lanes took place early Monday.

“This is a big change for drivers, and we expected that the first commute would be slower than usual,” said Stone. “Over time, drivers will get comfortable with this system, and the highway will begin to operate more efficiently in both the express toll lanes and the regular lanes.”

Early indications show approximately 55 percent of vehicles in the express toll lanes had a Good To Go! pass. Drivers without an account can still use the express toll lanes and Pay By Mail at an additional $2 per toll, and a bill will come in the mail in approximately two weeks.