Buses could get their own lane on I-5 if ST3 passes

If the $54 billion Sound Transit 3 proposition passes, buses will have their own lane — a.k.a. the shoulder — to drive in.

Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff says it’s not a brand new idea.

“This is something that has been done as a pilot in a variety of states around the country,” he said.

“This is infrastructure that the taxpayers have already paid for; it already exists,” he added.

Related: Sound Transit 3 could cure Seattle’s transit envy, but will traffic improve?

The proposal on the November ballot would allow Sound Transit to expand its light rail and bus rapid transit throughout three counties. It would extend light rail to Ballard, West Seattle, Everett, Tacoma, downtown Redmond, South Kirkland and Issaquah. It would also extend commuter rail south to DuPont, and build bus rapid transit lines along Interstate 405 and State Route 522. The proposal would also cost the “typical adult” an additional $169 per year — or roughly $14 per month. The expansion would take years to complete.

Buses could begin using the shoulders of I-5, I-405, SR-518 and SR-167 as early as 2019, KIRO Radio reports.

The state already started the work that will allow for shoulder driving on a portion of I-405. Over the summer, Gov. Jay Inslee announced there’s a project in the works to open the right shoulder between Highway 527 in Bothell north to I-5 to all vehicles. That project, Inslee said at the time, is expected to be done by summer 2017.

That project is being funded through tolling revenues.

Whether ST3 is actually approved is up to the voters. It’s a proposition that has seen received strong support and equal opposition.

Those who support the plan say it’s a positive step for the future and will help alleviate traffic congestion.

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a transformational investment in our transportation system,” Shefali Ranganathan, of Transportation Choices, told KIRO 7.

However, opponents say ST3 is too expensive for what taxpayers will get out of it.

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