The fight over I-405 tolls may be just beginning
Mar 16, 2016, 1:51 PM | Updated: May 4, 2016, 10:30 pm
"If you watch closely there is talk of expanding the system and adding a second hot lane north of 522 ... Will it be at the expense of the general purpose lanes again?" Rep. Mark Harmsworth said. (MyNorthwest file photo)
(MyNorthwest file photo)
Drivers are rejoicing the state’s decision to turn off the I-405 tolling system during scheduled times, however, the fight may not be over.
Rep. Mark Harmsworth warned there is more to be done.
“If you watch closely, there is talk of expanding the system and adding a second hot lane north of 522 … Will it be at the expense of the general purpose lanes again?” he wrote on his public Facebook page.
Related: Toll times to change on I-405
The Washington State Transportation Commission set new tolling times for the express toll lanes that run along the Eastside corridor Tuesday afternoon. The system will only be on from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays; except holidays.
New signs to reflect the changes were already being set up as the news unfolded. The changes do not go into effect until Friday, March 18.
Time of operation signs are hung on #405ETL @NEWSGUYSULLY. Saw 'em this morning on the way in, wrapped in plastic that's falling off.
— Neil Enns (@DaneCreekPhoto) March 15, 2016
Taxpayers immediately took to social media to celebrate the decision after months of what some report as worse congestion due to the tolls. However, some echoed Harmsworth and his idea that more needs to be done.
@AdamBressler @NEWSGUYSULLY Peak times and weekdays are fine by me. I love the #405ETL.
— Neil Enns (@DaneCreekPhoto) March 16, 2016
Drivers spent more than $3 million between September and the end of 2015 to enjoy a less-congested commute on I-405. The state initially predicted the tolls would make about $1 million. After the decision was made to reduce tolling times, the state was quick to make sure people knew the primary goal of the system isn’t revenue.
@Thyme2heal726 #405ETL's primary goal isn't making revenue, it's to improve traffic managent & create long-term reliable option for drivers
— WSDOT Good To Go! (@GoodToGoWSDOT) March 16, 2016
It’s true. As KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan has explained, about 54 cents of every toll transaction goes to operations. The rest of the money collected from a toll transaction goes back into the system.
More changes could be coming to the corridor. The idea of expanding portions of the roadway to allow shoulder driving at peak times has even been batted around.
Whether or not any of these changes will actually make a difference in driver behavior remains to be seen. Since the toll lanes went live, drivers have admitted to taking alternate routes, and some residents have relocated. That’s about the most extreme people have gone; and so far, drivers aren’t making their own routes as one Bothell police tweet jokingly suggested.
Commuters apparently using various routes to avoid 405 tax. Some routes better than others! pic.twitter.com/0smFOcx4Zk
— Bothell Police (@BothellPolice) March 16, 2016
