I-405 express toll lanes reduce travel time

A week after the new Interstate 405 express toll lanes were opened to commuters in early October, experts have reported that drivers have saved time in their daily commutes.

“Every day is different, and each driver has a different experience,” Craig Stone, Washington State Department of Transportation assistant secretary, told TI Daily News. “Overall, last week’s I-405 travel times have been lower than they were a year ago.”

In addition, thanks to the double express toll lanes extending from Bothell to Bellevue, more vehicles are on the move. The average HOV lane handles approximately 1,600 vehicles per hour. Last week, though, the same lanes transported approximately 2,400 vehicles each hour.

“Since the express toll lanes opened we’ve seen reliability return to I-405,” Stone said. “Drivers who choose to use the express toll lanes can shave average of 15 to 25 minutes off their commute during peak periods.”