February 8, 2016
The Honorable Judy Clibborn
Washington State House of Representatives
415 John L. O’Brien Building
Olympia, WA 98504
Dear Rep. Clibborn:
We have received your February 2, 2016 correspondence regarding the I-405 express toll lanes
and appreciate your interest and concern for the public’s use of this corridor. We have heard
clearly the frustration that drivers have experienced since the express toll lanes opened last
September. While we know there is an adjustment time that occurs with implementation of
express toll lanes, we agree changes are needed to improve the operation of the corridor.
Our observations coincide with those in your letter that, since opening the express toll lanes,
travel times have improved for drivers traveling the entire corridor and have provided an
immediate benefit of a reliable trip for transit. At the same time, we acknowledge that drivers
making shorter trips, or traveling on weekends, have seen increased congestion and longer travel
times in the general purpose lanes.
We agree the changes you are requesting have the potential to relieve some of the congestion
currently being experienced on the I-405 corridor between Bellevue and Lynwood. In recent
weeks, some of your recommendations have already been implemented with positive results.
We are assessing and developing plans for the remaining suggested improvements, and will
ensure the changes we pursue will be consistent with the direction set by the Legislature in
current law. Please see the attached list of adjustments that WSDOT has already undertaken or
plans to undertake.
The Transportation Commission and WSDOT have been and will continue to collaborate closely
on tolling and operational issues. We are identifying the timeline and steps needed to modify the
operations and to lift tolling during the evening off-peak hours, weekends and holidays. We will
also continue to closely monitor the performance of the corridor and evaluate the hours of
operation for the express toll lanes. Needed changes will be done through an open and public
process.

 February 8, 2016
Page 2
We welcome your invitation to update the Joint Transportation Committee on our progress and
to provide information on any potential recommended investments for corridor improvements
prior to the 2017 legislative session.
Sincerely,

Roger Millar
WSDOT Deputy Secretary
RM/AH:lsh
Enclosure
cc:

The Honorable Steve Hobbs
The Honorable Rosemary McAuliffe
The Honorable Luis Moscoso
The Honorable Derek Stanford
The Honorable Marko Liias
The Honorable Tana Senn
The Honorable Roger Goodman
The Honorable Larry Springer

Anne Haley
Transportation Commission Chair