BELLEVUE, Wash. — New express lane tolling starts on Interstate 405 between Bellevue and Lynnwood in slightly less than two weeks, and there’s a big push by the Washington State Department of Transportation to get drivers ready.
The express lane tolling starts Sept. 27.
To pay the toll, drivers will need to have a Good To Go pass.
Carpools
Drivers who sometimes carpool will need another pass. There could be confusion about the new windshield-mounted sensors that are different than the Good To Go stickers many already have in their cars.
They're candy-bar sized sensors called Flex Passes that attach to windshields the same way.
But instead of just charging you a toll, the Flex Pass will help you get out of paying the toll on I-405 if you're carpooling.
Questions? Live chat
QUESTIONS FOR WSDOT ON THE UPCOMING 405 EXPRESS TOLL LANES? >> kiro.tv/405TollInfoPost them here and your comments will be answered by WSDOT this morning from 6-8 a.m. and again this evening.
Posted by KIRO 7 Eyewitness News on Monday, September 14, 2015
How it works
The passes have a sliding window that you can switch from HOV (red) to toll (white).
WSDOT is suggesting that carpool drivers get in the habit of switching their Flex Pass to the correct side before leaving their driveway, so it doesn’t have to be moved while driving.
They’re available at several locations, including QFC and Walgreen's. Fred Meyer stores will have them soon.
You can also go to one of WSDOT’s customer service locations, buy them online, or purchase them over the phone.
During peak travel times (weekdays from 5-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.), three or more people qualify as a carpool. All other times, only two people are required. A Good To Go! Flex Pass is required for both two- and three-person carpools to travel for free.
The Flex Passes are $15, but you can get them for free, if you regularly carpool on 405, by taking a survey at http://rideshareonline.com/.
At this point, drivers probably won't get a free pass in the mail before the tolling starts the 27th. So buying one is the best option for those who need it the first week.
Dynamic toll rates (information from WSDOT)
Those not traveling in a carpool who want to use the express lanes will pay tolls, which are dynamic, ranging between 75 cents and $10 based on how many drivers choose to use express toll lanes. Rates increase as more drivers choose the lanes to manage lane volume and keep traffic moving at 45 mph or faster. Tolls are lowered when traffic is lighter to encourage drivers to move from regular lanes to express lanes. WSDOT says the average peak price would be around $4.
Learn where you can enter and exit the lanes and see what the toll rate signs will look like during your trip using the interactive map. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/tolling/405/map/
How much will I pay?
You will see up to three toll rates on a sign prior to entering the express toll lane. You pay the price you see upon entering the lane for your destination, even if you see a higher toll rate for your destination further down the road. If you are exiting the express toll lane anywhere up to or at the destination, you will pay the price for that destination.
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