Traffic is so bad that King County will pay you to abandon I-405

In a public relations push, the Washington State Department of Transportation has tried to make the case that traffic on I-405 has diminished since the express toll lanes opened in September.

WSDOT even says drivers haven’t diverted to other routes as a result of the toll lanes. If that’s true, I wonder why King County Metro is paying drivers to change their I-405 habits.

Acknowledging what WSDOT can’t seem to, King County says “[t]raveling on the I-405 corridor can be challenging…” which is why they are asking you to pledge your allegiance to their plan.

Their pledge asks you to promise to cut eight round trips driving alone, to another mode of transportation (bike or bus, for example) every month for three months. If you pledge, you’ll get a $25 incentive in the form of a gift card to use at Shell, Jiffy Lube and other locations.

First off, let’s go after the low hanging fruit and note the irony of a county wanting you out of your car, willing to give you $25 gift cards to buy gas or get an oil change.

Not to mention, the pledge is just that: a pledge. You don’t have to provide any proof you’re following up with that pledge (you take a survey after three months and log some of your habits). I believe drivers will just want a free $25 gift card for the extra gas they burn as a result of the traffic mess WSDOT created.

Related: WSDOT creates traffic, then charges you for relief

Next, why are we asking drivers to take a pledge to not drive I-405 if WSDOT is telling the public all is well with the I-405 commute? Are they lying? Are they spinning data? Are they doing both?

According to State Representative Mark Harmsworth, who has been in touch with King County Metro, the gift cards are funded through a grant from WSDOT. And, again, somewhat ironically, at the same time WSDOT says there are no significant congestion issues, the grant was funded to “support local efforts to improve transit mobility and reduce congestion on our most heavily traveled roadways.”

“Traveling the I-405 corridor can be a challenge. During much of the day, traffic is heavy, express toll lanes have started, and eligibility for the use of HOV lanes has changed,” Program Director Debbie Jaksich told the Tukwila Reporter, apparently breaking from the WSDOT talking points suggesting traffic conditions haven’t worsened. “The Communities In Motion program is here to help people explore travel options in their community as alternatives to driving alone.”

Reading the texts and emails coming into the Jason Rantz Show (weeknights from 7-10 p.m.), drivers don’t seem to notice a better commute; quite the opposite. They’re complaining of more traffic, including traffic during times they never experienced traffic before.

Tell us about what’s slowing you down

And that shared experience makes sense in a world where you’re being paid not to take I-405 as a single-driver. Or are we to believe conditions are fantastic on I-405 and King County Metro is giving out $25 gift cards as an early holiday present?