Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tolls could be added to I-405
OLYMPIA — The state House wants to add tolls on I-405 for drivers to buy their way into the carpool lane.
They’re called HOT lanes — for “high occupancy tolls.” The pilot project would stretch from Bellevue to the northern I-5 interchange in Lynnwood near Alderwood mall.
The minimum number of passengers for carpool lanes in the zone would rise from two people to three. Cars with two or fewer people could pay to use the carpool lanes.
The rate would vary by time of day and traffic conditions. Democratic supporters say HOT lanes can raise more money to help pay for I-405 improvements.
But Republican opponents say it’s just a way to increase taxes on drivers and discourage driving.
Mike Ennis, transportation director with the Washington Policy Center, a free market think-tank in Seattle, called the House legislation vague and was based partly on a study that didn’t consider what would happen on the road without the HOT lanes.
Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine, who serves on the Sound Transit Board of Directors, said he likes the idea of the high-occupancy toll lanes. Still, he said he’d prefer that a new lane be added to the freeway instead.
“I don’t want to give up an existing lane on 405 for a HOT lane,” Marine said.
The bill passed the House 56-40 on Friday and now heads to the state Senate, where its transportation committee is scheduled to review the legislation at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
They’re called HOT lanes — for “high occupancy tolls.” The pilot project would stretch from Bellevue to the northern I-5 interchange in Lynnwood near Alderwood mall.
The minimum number of passengers for carpool lanes in the zone would rise from two people to three. Cars with two or fewer people could pay to use the carpool lanes.
The rate would vary by time of day and traffic conditions. Democratic supporters say HOT lanes can raise more money to help pay for I-405 improvements.
But Republican opponents say it’s just a way to increase taxes on drivers and discourage driving.
Mike Ennis, transportation director with the Washington Policy Center, a free market think-tank in Seattle, called the House legislation vague and was based partly on a study that didn’t consider what would happen on the road without the HOT lanes.
Mukilteo Mayor Joe Marine, who serves on the Sound Transit Board of Directors, said he likes the idea of the high-occupancy toll lanes. Still, he said he’d prefer that a new lane be added to the freeway instead.
“I don’t want to give up an existing lane on 405 for a HOT lane,” Marine said.
The bill passed the House 56-40 on Friday and now heads to the state Senate, where its transportation committee is scheduled to review the legislation at 1:30 p.m. Monday.
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