The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is just as confused as drivers by the new I-405 express toll lanes. According to MyNorthwest.com, truck drivers could not figured out where or not they could drive their rigs in the new lanes. WSDOT informed them that rigs with a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds were not allowed.
That information turned out to be false. MyNorthwest.com,
“Under current law, there is no restriction for big rigs in an express toll system. WSDOT assumed that because the toll lanes replaced the HOV lane, that the same restrictions for HOV lanes would apply. They do not.”
Why is this information important? Because WSDOT’s own lack of knowledge reinforces what many already suspected: the I-405 tolling scheme is poorly planned and managed. The Washington State Patrol Troopers Association has expressed its reservations over the tolling scheme. As Shift reported, questions have been raised over the enforcement aspect on the controversial project—particularly Washington State Patrol’s ability to safely ensure compliance.
Unfortunately, commuters are facing the consequences. As KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz pointed out, it appears that WSDOT officials are creating more traffic congestion, and then asking commuters to pay them to fix the problem.
The notion of it all is made still more ridiculous by the fact that the state is only collecting 30 cents out of every dollar in tolls. The rest of commuters’ toll money will go to the Texas tolling vender which operates the system.
