Car-poolers on the stretch of Interstate 405 between Bellevue and Bothell are used to driving in carpool lanes for free. But now KIRO 7 has discovered that trip will soon have a price tag, and it may be based on the time of day drivers are using it. "That's great," Ronald Campbell said. "Let's make life more complicated than it is."
It's all part of the 405 toll lane project designed to cut down on congestion and create cash that could help pay for the lanes' extension all the way to Renton. WSDOT officials met with local leaders on Thursday. Assistant Secretary for Tolling Craig Stone said keeping the lanes the way they are and allowing cars with only two people inside to use the lanes would not generate enough money. He said an initial survey of potential new scenarios showed more drivers preferred all car-poolers paying a toll but receiving some kind of discount. But after discussing the survey with the Advisory Council, Stone said the most popular and likely scenario among the council's members appeared to be the drivers' second choice.
Cars with three or more people inside would be free all the time. Cars with two people would be free during off-peak hours but they would have to pay during rush hour, most likely 6-10 a.m. and then from 3-8 p.m. Cars with just one person would have to pay any time of day they want to use the high occupancy toll lane.
It's confusing for drivers like Campbell. "You have to look at your watch, figure out how many people you have in your car, what time of day it is, what lane you're in," he said.
As for cost, WSDOT said an average trip from Bellevue to Bothell would cost $2.30 but depending on traffic, it could be more. "Atlanta just got up to $8," Stone said. "What that's showing is that people are willing to pay it and they're using it."
KIRO
