DOT worked closely with WSP

On Thursday, the Washington State Department of Transportation was made aware of an email circulated to the media by a representative of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association. (Friday commentary, “Problems ahead for I-405 HOV/toll lanes.”) Many of the opinions contained within that commentary are untrue and do not reflect our partnership and coordination with State Patrol on this project.

The I-405 Express Toll Lanes Project reflects countless hours spent working with Washington State Patrol and others from around the country to gather input in the roadway design, transponder development, operations and ultimately enforcement of the toll lanes. We worked closely with the State Patrol to determine the design and location of patrol vehicle pullouts and other facility needs for their important safety and enforcement work.

We recognize that this project will be a change for all travelers within the corridor including the troopers that keep it safe. We will continue to keep our partnership with the State Patrol into the future as we prepare to deliver the Connecting Washington project that will extend the toll lanes from Bellevue to Renton. The Washington State Patrol is a critical partner in our state’s work to use solutions such as toll lanes to better manage the movement of people, business and goods through our congested corridors.

Ethan Bergerson

State Department of Transportation