Published September 21 2015
The Washington State Department of Transportation announced that drivers on Interstate 405 this weekend should plan for major delays. WSDOT is encouraging them to use alternate routes as crews funnel the highway down to two lanes between Bellevue and Bothell.
In a news release on Monday, WSDOT said the lane closures are necessary to complete final striping and open 17 miles of I-405 express toll lanes between Bellevue and Lynnwood on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 25 at 11 p.m., crews working for the WSDOT will close two lanes in both directions of I-405, between I-90 in Bellevue and Northeast 195th in Bothell.
"Nearly a quarter of a million people use I-405 every weekend, and we need every one of them to plan ahead before they get on the road," said Lisa Hodgson, WSDOT project engineer. "Whether they’re headed to a game at Husky Stadium or CenturyLink Field, drivers should plan for delays and use alternate routes to make sure they arrive before kickoff."
Closure details
Friday, September 25, at 11 p.m. to Sunday, September 27, at noon:
- Two lanes in both directions of I-405 will remain open between I-90 in Bellevue and Northeast 195th in Bothell;
- All Northeast 6th direct access ramps will be closed;
- All Northeast 128th direct access ramps will be closed; and
- During late evening and early morning hours, I-405 may be reduced to one lane in each direction at SR 520 and SR 522.
In the Puget Sound area, drivers can get real-time traffic information on their phone with the WSDOT traffic app, by tracking the WSDOT traffic Twitter feed, and get advanced information from the What’s Happening Now page.
Good To Go! pass for I-405 express toll lanes
Commuters have T-minus six days and counting to decide which Good To Go! pass is best for them. Any existing Good To Go! pass will work to pay a toll in the express toll lanes, but only the Flex Pass will allow carpools to declare HOV status and ride toll-free.
"If you’re calling Good To Go! please be patient and expect long wait times," said Assistant Secretary Craig Stone. "The fastest way to buy a Flex Pass is through a retailer: QFC, Walgreens and Fred Meyer and activate it online at MyGoodToGo.com."
Good To Go! call center hours have been extended from Sept. 21 through Oct. 23. The hours will be 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours for Saturday are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If purchasing a Flex Pass through Good To Go! it may take up to a week for drivers to receive it in the mail. It may take up to three weeks to receive a free Flex Pass in the mail if requested through RideshareOnline.com and it likely won’t arrive before Sept. 27.
When the system opens on Sept. 27, drivers will have the option to pay a toll for a faster, more reliable trip using the 17-mile system of express toll lanes from Bellevue to Lynnwood. Toll rates, set by the Washington State Transportation Commission, will adjust based on traffic congestion to keep the lanes moving at 45 mph or better.
To learn more about I-405 express toll lanes visit www.GoodToGo405.org. An animated video gives an example of what a trip may look like in the express toll lanes.