Signs, signs, everywhere signs of tolling coming to I-405 on Sept. 27.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews over the weekend of Sept. 12-13 are to uncover or install over 140 signs on I-405 and surrounding city streets in preparation for the start of tolling — on what today are carpool lanes — between Lynnwood and Bellevue.
“While tolling won’t start until Sept. 27, these signs will help drivers get used to the look and feel of the system, and we hope will encourage them to learn more about the system and how to plan their commute,” said Craig Stone, assistant secretary of transportation.
Until tolling starts, the electronic signs will note the current rules for two-person carpools.
Once tolling begins, variable toll rates will be posted. They can range from 75 cents to $10 depending on how far a driver travels in the lane. The typical toll is expected to fall in the 75-cent to $4 range.
Changes aren’t just happening overhead, but also under the tires with new striping.
Drivers will only be able to access toll lanes at designated entry points, a significant shift for drivers used to hopping in and out of the left lane.
Carpool and other users of the current HOV lanes will get some practice with that change ahead of tolling.
As soon as Thursday, Sept. 17, contractors will begin to re-stripe the HOV lane between Bothell and Lynnwood with double white lines to reflect the new restricted access. Once the stripes are down, current HOV lane access also will be limited to designated entry and exit points.
Striping work is weather dependent since the roadway needs to be dry.
Don’t travel I-405? Get a preview of the signs at “The WSDOT Blog” at wsdotblog.blogspot.com.
Learn more about tolling — and how to get set up with a Good to Go account to pay the lowest rates — at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Tolling/405. An interactive map on how to use the lanes is at www.GoodToGo405.org/map.
Have a question? Email us at streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your first and last name and city of residence. Look for updates on the Street Smarts blog.
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