CHOKEPOINTS

Could this plan fix SR 167/I-405 commutes?

Dec 8, 2015, 7:04 PM | Updated: Dec 17, 2015, 2:28 pm

The SR 167 HOT Lanes stretch from Renton to Auburn. (WSDOT)...

The SR 167 HOT Lanes stretch from Renton to Auburn. (WSDOT)

(WSDOT)

I doubt if anything will make bad traffic magically disappear, but a new plan could make getting onto I-405 a little easier.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is going to build a new flyover ramp connecting the State Route 167 HOT lanes to the carpool lanes on I-405 in Renton.

WSDOT hopes the new ramp will improve traffic flow and safety at this challenging interchange. If you drive State Route 167, you won’t be surprised to hear that the intersection experiences congestion between eight to 10 hours a day. That’s obviously longer than your average morning and afternoon drive time.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will host a neighborhood open house on Dec. 10 to provide information about the latest plans for the recently-funded I-405/SR 167 Interchange Direct Connector project that is slated to begin construction in 2016.

“Traffic analyses show that this project will decrease the hours of delay people experience and reduce weaving at the interchange,” WSDOT spokesperson Amy Danberg said.

So go to the meeting (details below). Let your opinions be heard, and feel free to come up with solid ideas on how to fix the rest of traffic in the Puget Sound while you’re there.

I-405/SR 167 Interchange Open House

5-7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10

Talbot Hill Elementary Cafeteria

2300 Talbot Road South

Renton, WA 98005

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Could this plan fix SR 167/I-405 commutes?