Why WSDOT crews failed to finish striping I-405’s new toll lanes

There are new white lines on I-405 between Lynnwood and Bothell, however, the Washington State Department of Transportation was not able to complete the entire restriping job for the new express toll lanes.

The project got off to a rocky start on Friday night. There was a mechanical problem with the striping truck, which delayed any progress. Wet weather prevented further striping Sunday night, so WSDOT decided to cancel work.

Related: SDOT recommends staying home during President Xi’s visit

The delay means there will be overnight closures this week so that workers can finish the job by Sept. 27, when tolling begins.

“We will be striping Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and as long as it takes to finish that section both in northbound and southbound directions. It’s weather- dependent so we’re just going to be playing with Mother Nature as we get through that,” Project Engineer Lisa Hodgson previously said.

Fortunately, the forecast looks much better for the next few days.

WSDOT hopes to complete the job before major closures on I-405 this weekend, when the freeway will be down to just two lanes in each direction as workers scramble to get the toll lanes up and running.

“I think we’re ready to go. No major ‘oops’ moments so far. Nothing that has really caught us off-guard. What is keeping me up at night is whether drivers are ready, wondering whether they’re getting the message,” said tolling systems engineer Jennifer Charlebois.

If you haven’t purchased a Flex Pass &#8212 to ride in the new Express Toll Lanes for free &#8212 you need to go to a retail location to buy one. It won’t arrive in the mail before the start of tolling if you order one online.

You can buy them for $15 at Good To Go retail sites such as Fred Meyer, Walgreens, and QFC.

And just because you have the pass, it doesn’t mean it’s activated. You need to register the Flex Pass and put $30 in a Good To Go account to ride for free.