The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has admitted that weekend congestion on I-405 has increased since implementation of the express toll lanes scheme. In a recent blog, WSDOT reveals that weekend drive times increased by about 5 minutes between October 3rd and November 8th. Peak time commutes increased by 10 minutes in the northbound lanes on Saturdays.
WSDOT blames the increased times on a few factors, including lane closures for construction, increased traffic for sporting events, and rainfall in Bellevue. The agency goes on to admit, “On top of all that, we’re still seeing fewer drivers in the express toll lanes on weekends. All of this adds up to impacts for regular lane drivers.” Via MyNorthwest.com,
“Sunday drive times have increased — by about 5 minutes at the most — and the average drive time between Bellevue and Lynnwood is about 15-20 minutes.
“But Saturdays have taken the biggest hit. In 2014, the average drive time along I-405 on a Saturday was about 15-20 minutes between Bellevue and Lynnwood. WSDOT now says that Saturday drive times have increased by an average of 5-10 minutes in both directions.”
Given the state of traffic on I-405, it’s no wonder WSDOT is [indirectly] paying drivers to avoid commuting on the freeway.
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