BELLEVUE, Wash. — In a meeting on Tuesday, the Washington State Transportation Commission agreed to move forward with considering changes to minimum and maximum toll rates on Interstate 405 and state Route 167.
Currently, I-405 has a maximum toll rate of $10 and SR 167 of $9; the commission will look at proposals to increase the maximum for both to $12 or to $15. There is still time for public input and further analysis will be conducted before a final decision is made.
Further analysis will also be done next year, looking into additional weekend tolling, changes to HOV lane regulations, and/or a maximum toll rate of $18.
Deputy Director at the Washington State Transportation Commission Carl See said the rate increases have been proposed for multiple reasons, including state revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic closures and efforts to alleviate traffic congestion.
However, See said the increase is largely due to construction funding deficits.
"The funding issue is tied to the recently awarded projects, the north end expansion from one lane to two lanes on 405 and improvements on 167 on the south," See said. "Both those bids ... came in significantly over budget compared to the cost estimates. Nevertheless, the Legislature did give the approval to award the bids with recognizing they're going to need to find a way to fill the gap next session."
See also said the increases are necessary to reduce traffic on the busy highways.
"What we're seeing right now, though, is that times when you choose to pay, say the maximum rate, you may end up in congestion of the ramps because it certainly just isn't the rates aren't calibrated to a point where it's alleviating the traffic."
The Washington state Legislature wrote to the Commission directing them to expedite the toll increase to account for budget gaps.
WSTC Chair Debbie Young said Tuesday's vote does not actually approve the increase - just the process to consider it.
"Expedited tolling is not something that's used by wealthy people every single day to get there faster; we found from our studies that it's generally used by all kinds of people, occasionally, when they really need it," Young said. "So by raising the maximum, it gives them a more reliable chance of getting where they need to get to quickly. The other thing we need remember is that transit - the most economical form of transportation - uses those lanes. By increasing their performance with the maximum, we can make transit a more reliable option also."
King County Commissioner Reagan Dunn wrote a letter opposing the fees, writing that "it is important to note that those who suffer the most are those who can afford these skyrocketing fees and taxes the least."
As for the Bellevue to Renton widening and express toll lanes project, it is set to open in July 2025. See said the Commission has been preparing for updated full rates and policies to take effect for the corridor, which will connect to the Bellevue to Lynnwood express lanes.