The recent closure of Northbound I-405 between Bellevue and Renton, part of the Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project, exemplifies a WSDOT more interested in increasing revenue than in reducing “the most congested roadway in the region”. The reason being they plan to collect tolls on the new lanes as well as the existing +2 person HOV lanes between SR 167 in Renton and Northeast Sixth Street in Bellevue.
The WSDOT travel time website shows the HOV 7:25 a.m. travel times for the 10.92-mile Renton-to-Bellevue, 14 minutes, were 17 minutes less than the 31-minute average on the remaining GP lanes. The 14-minute travel times the result of a 46.8 mph average travel velocity.
However, at 8:00 am, heavier traffic raised HOV travel time to 17 minutes and GP travel time to 36 minutes, dropping HOV speeds below the optimal 45 mph capacity threshold. Later travel times were longer on both HOV and GP lanes, indicating increased traffic on both.
The WSDOT could have reduced that increase by imposing tolls on the HOV lane that would reduce traffic to the 2000 vehicles per hour (vph), and 45 mph velocity needed for assure peak capacity. The increased capacity on the HOV lane and the added lane for GP vehicles would have benefited the entire roadway. The HOV lane fees could’ve been raised to whatever was needed during peak commute and reduced during off peak, increasing the incentive for those using it to the 2000 vph.
The WSDOT approach is to “add new capacity by creating a two-lane Express Toll Lane (ETL)”, imposing the fees on both the HOV and new I-405 lane. While they reduce the fees during off peak, they limit them to $15.00 on each lane. During peak operation, carpoolers forced to use the GP lanes, could increase congestion to where those willing to pay to use ETLs will slow their speeds below the 45 mph velocity.
During off peak operation, those willing to pay will be reduced to where travel times on two ETLs will be limited by safety concerns. However, capacity that could be used to reduce congestion will still result in carpoolers forced to use GP lane, slowing traffic.
The bottom line is the WSDOT’s purported ETL “added new capacity” with limited fees could result in slower speeds and longer travel times for those paying the fees. Both could have been avoided if they would limit ETL fees to one lane raised to limit traffic and the added lane used to reduce GP lane congestion, travel times, and the incentive to pay the fees.
Instead, WSDOT’s I-405 debacle of longer travel for both those paying the ETL fees and those who don't is coming.
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