The number of collisions in the first week of tolling on I-405 between Lynnwood and Bellevue was significantly higher than the same time last year.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is sharing information on how to navigate collisions in the express toll lanes.
When a collision blocks the express toll lanes, signs will note that the lanes are “CLOSED” to all traffic.
Drivers already in the lanes can cross the double-white lines to get around a blocking collision when directed by Washington State Patrol troopers.
In the wake of a collision, the toll to enter the express lane is likely to spike or disappear altogether.
On the Oct. 1 afternoon commute, for example, the north-most section of the express toll lanes was switched to “HOV ONLY” following a collision in the northbound lanes past NE 195th Street in Bothell. It meant only transit, vanpools and qualified carpools were allowed into the lane in the bumper-to-bumper post-crash crush.
The next morning, around 6:30 on Oct. 2, a collision on southbound I-405 near Highway 527 in Bothell blocked the express toll lanes. When the collision was cleared 40 minutes later, the toll lanes reopened. There was a spike in drivers entering the lanes, which in turn pushed the toll to its highest point yet, at $5.25, to get around the slog.
Tolls adjust automatically based on traffic speeds and the number of vehicles in the express toll lane in order to manage traffic. Limiting access is aimed at keeping traffic in the express toll lanes moving at 45 mph.
There are times when the express toll lanes can be opened to all drivers, with no tolls charged, such as when a collision blocks general purpose lanes.
Roadwork can be another reason.
WSDOT crews opened up the toll lanes while they did night-time roadwork on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, for example. Signs noted no tolls would be charged, but most drivers stayed in the general purpose lanes anyway.
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