Legislation would change how new I-405 toll lanes are used

BOTHELL — Frustration with the new express lanes on I-405 spilled into the political arena Wednesday with two Republican lawmakers saying they want to reduce the number of toll lanes and let all drivers use them at night for free.

State Rep. Mark Harmsworth, R-Mill Creek, and Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, said complaints from constituents are fueling their effort to change the operation of toll lanes that opened on the 17-mile stretch between Bellevue and Lynnwood in September.

“I’m hoping to address the big concerns I’ve heard people talk about and to provide some reasonable solutions without undoing the whole thing,” Harmsworth said shortly after a news conference at the UW Bothell campus.

“It has failed badly so let’s take a step back.”

Since tolling began Sept. 27, the northbound afternoon commute through Bothell has taken longer, and north-end commuters report it takes longer to get to their jobs going southbound in the morning, too.

Weekends see more congestion than usual, as well, and collisions are up as drivers get used to new lanes and the methods of getting in and out of them.

Earlier this month a group of residents formed Stop405tolls.org and launched an online petition that’s already garnered more than 25,000 signatures.

Harmsworth and Hill are sponsoring identical bills and prefiled them this week in advance of the 2016 session that starts Jan. 11.

As proposed, the legislation limits the Washington State Department of Transportation to one express toll lane in each direction. That would mean the second toll lane now between Bellevue and Bothell would become a general purpose lane.

The bill also would open toll lanes in both directions to any driver at no cost between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily and on state holidays. This is how it worked with the old carpool lane on this part of the I-405 corridor.

Finally, the bill calls for removing the double white-lines on the entire 17-mile stretch except in places where it might present a safety problem. This would make it easier for drivers to enter and exit the toll lanes; today drivers can only get in and out of the lanes at a limited number of places where there is a break in the double white lines.

On Wednesday, chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee cautioned against expecting the bill to succeed this year.

“I am not interested at this point in making major changes,” said Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island. “My goal is to make (toll lanes) work better for everyone.”

A Department of Transportation spokeswoman said there have been changes in response to issues raised by drivers. The most recent include extending the access point on northbound I-405 at NE 6th Street in Bellevue and removing some of the white striping on northbound I-405 approaching I-5 in Lynnwood to give drivers more room to merge to I-5 from the express toll lanes.

Clibborn said state law requires a review of the performance of these toll lanes in September 2017. At that point they could be significantly modified or even terminated.

“We said we would look at it in two years,” she said. “I don’t want people to think we’ll try a new idea every month. We have to allow things to shake out.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Southbound lanes on Highway 99 reopen after crash

The crash, on Highway 99 at 176th Street SW, blocked traffic for over an hour. Traffic was diverted to 168th Street SW.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.