State has two years to make I-405 tolls work
Mar 20, 2015, 9:07 AM | Updated: 10:38 am
According to state law, WSDOT has two years to make the new toll lanes on I-405 work. (WSDOT photo)
(WSDOT photo)
Since the Washington State Transportation Commission made its decisions about the upcoming tolls on I-405 between Bellevue and Lynnwood, we have been getting a steady stream of questions about other options.
There actually is a way to eliminate the tolls.
The law allowing the new express toll lanes contains specific language for ending the tolls. If the lanes don’t maintain the federally mandated 45 mph at least 90 percent of the time or if they fail at raising enough money to pay for all the operating costs, “the express toll lanes project must be terminated as soon as practicable.” The state has two years to make it work.
Related: Rep. Harmsworth on I-405 toll: ‘They made this decision last year’
But with tolls as high as $10, $12 without a Good To Go account, it’s hard to imagine the lanes getting bogged down and missing that 45 mph threshold. It might not meet the monetary requirement if enough drivers choose not to buy in, even with the change in the HOV requirement.
Meanwhile, we’ve learned that 25 percent of the toll money collected will go into an I-405 account set aside for other corridor improvements.
As earlier reported, the other 75 percent of the money generated will pay for the toll system itself.
