Amid rising discontent among drivers, Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday plans to announce more than a dozen improvements being made to the I-405 express toll lanes.
Inslee will outline the moves to improve the flow of traffic on the 17-mile stretch between Lynnwood and Bellevue in a midday visit to the state’s Transportation Management Center in Shoreline.
The governor’s office isn’t revealing what will be announced.
Last week, state transportation officials sent a letter to lawmakers outlining a dozen changes under way or completed since tolling began Sept. 27.
That list is attached.
That letter also confirms the department and state Transportation Commission are trying to figure out the steps needed to open the lanes to all traffic at no cost at night and on weekends and holidays.
In the letter, officials point out access points have already been lengthened in several spots to allow more time for cars to merge in an out of the express lanes. And there’s been repainting and restriping in some areas to eliminate confusion about where lanes begin and end.
This month, additional pavement markings will clarify which lane exits to NE 6th Street from southbound I-405.
Still ahead are adjustments to ease congestion at the interchange of I-405 and Highway 520 and lengthening access on northbound I-405 at 160th Street.
Officials mention a couple projects in need of additional study and dollars such as adding a hard shoulder to serve as a general purpose lane in the northbound direction from Highway 527 to I-5.
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