State admits I-405 toll lanes have worsened north end traffic
Jan 29, 2016, 10:21 PM | Updated: May 7, 2016, 10:22 pm
The state admits the I-405 express toll lanes have made traffic worse on the north end of the corridor.
KIRO 7 reports officials are now considering widening the roadway enough to allow shoulder driving.
“We recognize we are seeing extra congestion northbound in the Bothell area and we want to see some solutions that could help relieve some of that,” Patty Rubstello told KIRO 7.
Related: Love it or hate it, WSDOT defends I-405 tolls
Rubstello, the director of the toll division for the Washington State Department of Transportation, says shoulder driving during heavy traffic in the northbound lanes between SR 522 and I-5 in Lynnwood could decrease congestion.
There are fewer lanes in the north section of I-405. Rubstello is suggesting the state focus in that area, before expanding in the south end, as is currently planned.
Related: Meet the woman who will kill the I-405 express toll lane fix
In order to add shoulder driving there would need to be an expansion project. The project would require sound proofing and stream work, KIRO 7 reports. Work on a cost estimate could begin this year.
